Motorcyclists take part in training course

Ten motorcyclists have taken part in the first Rider Refinement North course to be held in Orkney.

The initiative, designed to reduce the number of collisions involving motorcyclists, was held during the weekend of July 6 and 7.

The initiative was a joint project with Orkney Islands Council and is part-funded by Transport Scotland's Road Safety Framework Fund.

Road Policing Inspector Neil Lumsden said: "We were delighted to take Rider Refinement North beyond the mainland for the first time and we were encouraged by the feedback received.

"Rider Refinement North is designed to promote safe riding messages, encouraging riders to think about their riding style and riding behaviour, and take advantage of the expert tuition provided by experienced police motorcyclists.

“This is the only course of its kind being offered in Scotland at the moment and I hope that it will influence the behaviour of those who attend the course and help them to become safer riders.

"We are hopeful that Rider Refinement North will be held again in Orkney next year."

Councillor Andrew Drever who is Chair of the Orkney Road Safety Forum said: "I'm pleased that the course came to Orkney and that a number of riders took up the opportunity to take part. Anything that can help and encourage riders to improve their forward observations and road positioning can only be a good thing and in time, may save injury or death by learning how to read the road and avoid collision. I appreciate RDN coming to Orkney and hope this can become a regular opportunity for locals to take part in."

Limited spaces remain available for upcoming Rider Refinement North events in Invergordon on September 15 and in Inverness on September 22 and October 6.

Anyone interested in attending the course should email Operation Rider Refinement at Police Scotland

The course costs £40 and includes lunch.