Efforts to improve road safety in the Isle of Man have received a major boost thanks to a striking new addition to the Fire and Rescue Service’s fleet of emergency vehicles.
FireBike13 will be used to spearhead an education and publicity campaign aimed at reducing the number of road traffic incidents involving motorcyclists and their passengers.
The BMW GS1200, fitted out in distinctive Fire Service livery, will become a familiar sight in the months ahead as firefighters travel around the Island to pass on important safety advice to both novice and experienced riders.
Jason Griffiths Motorcycles of Castletown has provided the high-performance machine which will be ridden by operational staff within the IoM Fire and Rescue Service qualified to Institute of Advance Motorcyclist (IAM) standard, including officers who have competed in the TT Races and Manx Grand Prix.
They will use their experience, both as motorcycle enthusiasts and as firefighters who have attended serious road traffic collisions, to promote discussion around key road safety issues, risks and consequences.
Stopping off at popular motorcycle meeting points, they will provide local and visiting riders with guidance about:
• Riding within the law
• Training as if your life depends on it
• Always wearing the appropriate level of personal protective equipment
• Arranging a suitable maintenance programme for machines
The IoM Fire and Rescue Service hopes FireBike13 will play a prominent role in reducing bike-related casualties, and also become a focal point for engaging with new riders as they venture out on to public highways.
Chief Fire Officer Kevin Groom said: ‘FireBike13 will be in the hands of some experienced riders, such as Brian Quirk, Tony Duncan, John Bellis and David Cowley, fire officers who have a genuine passion for bikes and a strong connection with the Island’s motorcycling fraternity.’
Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson added: ‘FireBike13 provides a high-profile tool to get the safety message to bikers in an engaging and hands-on way. Prevention continues to be a priority and a success story of the IoM Fire and Rescue Service, and the use of this new vehicle will help to raise awareness of our rider education initiatives. The IoM Fire and Rescue Service is indebted to the support offered by Jason Griffiths Motorcycles, which demonstrates positive public-private working in difficult economic times.’
Photo - Sub Officer Tony Duncan on FireBike13
