A POLICE officer who’s played a key role in the development of the ‘Bike Down’ scheme has received a special award.
Warwickshire Police Officer Rich Jenkins has received a Chief’s Special Award (Recognising Partnership Working) from Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service at their Annual Awards Evening.
The award recognises the dedication and commitment PC Jenkins has made to delivering the national motorbike initiative Biker Down in partnership with other agencies in Warwickshire.
Since 2015, more than 780 bikers have attended the Biker Down course.
As a biker himself, PC Jenkins is committed to reducing death and serious injuries among bikers and improving the safety of all powered two wheelers.
In 2019, 13 motorbike riders lost their lives in fatal collisions in Warwickshire, and a further 73 suffered serious or life changing injuries. Most of these but not all involved motorbikes over 500cc.
PC Jenkins said: “I’m delighted to receive this award. Biker Down gives people the skills and knowledge so they know what to do in the first few moments after an incident involving a motorcycle.
“This can make a real difference to the lives of those involved. It could mean a life is saved.”
Biker Down is a free three hour course open to anyone and answers critical questions for those first on the scene of a collision such as how to assess who is most at risk following a collision and whether you should remove the helmet of a downed rider.
The course also covers basic first aid and the science of being seen – how bikers can ride better to protect themselves, what to wear and how to position the bike to improve safety on the road.
After the course, the Biker Down trainers also signpost bikers to other courses such as Warwickshire Police’s BikeSafe workshop that offers riders the opportunity to experience a professional police observed ride with police graded riders to help them become a safer more skilled rider.
Online training videos or books recommended include Motorcycle Roadcraft or Official DVSA riding guide or visit https://www.think.gov.uk/campaign/motorcycling/.
PC Jenkins received the award alongside Paul Rowlands of West Midlands Ambulance Service and Anna Higgins and Victoria Bristow from the Safer Roads Partnership who were instrumental in Biker Down being established in Warwickshire.
