New Tees Valley Awards Scheme aims to Reduce Road Accidents

 

Simon Bailes Peugeot has teamed up with Cleveland Police and the North East’s largest motorcycle enthusiasts’ group to establish a new scheme to reduce the number of accidents involving motorcyclists.

 

The Boundary 500 Motorcycle Group promotes safer motorcycling activities which raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance and Zoë’s Place babies’ hospice in Middlesbrough.

 

The group is now working with Cleveland Police and Simon Bailes Peugeot to launch the Simon Bailes Boundary Motorcycle Road Safety Rider Awards.

 

The awards scheme will examine and develop motorcyclists riding skills working closely with Cleveland Police’s Motorcycle Section to improve rider safety.

 

Boundary 500’s founder, Brian Laverick, a retired Cleveland Police officer who was in charge of the Motorcycle Section, has developed a stringent assessment process for the new awards scheme with the help of Cleveland Police.

 

Each entrant will spend half a day with an advanced police motorcyclist who will provide one-to-one advice and highlight areas for improvement. The rider will then have to complete a theory paper.

 

Anyone wanting to enter the awards, which are open between March 24th and September 30th, will pay £5 to enter with all funds raised being donated to the Great North Air Ambulance and Zoë’s Place.

 

The Boundary 500 Group was set up in 2006 and, in under 18 months, has raised over £110,000 for its nominated charities and covered around a quarter of a million miles.

 

Simon Bailes Peugeot, the North East’s leading Peugeot dealership with branches in Northallerton, Stockton and Guisborough, has been a major sponsor of the Boundary 500 Group since it launched and has been working with Brian to initiate the awards to promote rider safety.

 

Simon commented: “I have been a proud sponsor of the Boundary 500 Motorcycle Group since it launched as I believe improving rider safety, especially amongst young and new riders, to be of the utmost importance. As a father of three young boys and having had friends who have lost children in road accidents, I am passionate about ensuring this scheme is a major success and continues to grow.” 

 

“For many years I have been involved in developing and supporting talented young people all over the North East as part of our company values and this new campaign is particularly aimed at those who may be learning to motorcycle for the first time. “

 

Sergeant Nick Walker, who is charge of the Motor Cycle Section in Cleveland Police, added: “Our section is very supportive of the work that Brian and his Boundary team have put in over recent years and we want to invest in this worthwhile programme to help riders improve their skills. 

 

“We recognise that on Boundary events some riders have not had the benefit of long distance riding and we hope that we can pass on some of our experience, not only to improve riding skills, but also to recognise signs of fatigue and drops in concentration levels. This is a fantastic opportunity for our team to support local riders and local charities and we look forward to our partnership work with the Boundary 500 Motorcycle Group.’

 

For more information about The Boundary, please visit www.boundary500.co.uk or e-mail brian.laverick@ntlworld.com.

 

Anyone wishing to enter should contact PC Iain Tribick at the Cleveland Police Motorcycle Section on 01642 301574 or by e-mail at iain.tribick@cleveland.pnn.police.uk