BIKER

2016 

Staffordshire 

BIKER 

Essential Rider Information

Contents 

Welcome 3 

Bikers’ Breakfasts 4-5 

Meet the Team 6-7 

‘Ride it Right’ Campaign 8-9 

County Map 10-11 

A5 Weston to Weeford 12-13 

A34 Kidsgrove to Stafford 14-15 

A458 Stourbridge to Six Ashes 16-17 

A460 Rugeley to Wolverhampton 18-19 

A511 Tutbury to Bretby 20-21 

A518 Stafford to Uttoxeter 22-23 

A520 Stone to Leek 24-25 

A527 Newcastle to Biddulph 26-27 

Think Bike! Campaign 28-29 

Biker Jack - Young Riders 30-31 

Are you geared up? 32-33 

Maintenance Tips 34-35 

Staffordshire Rider Development Pathway 36-37 

BikeSense 38-39 

This guide is published by Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership. Let us know 

what you think about the guide by emailing bikers@staffordshire.gov.uk 

Welcome to the 2016 edition of the 

Staffordshire Biker. 

This guide provides you with the latest information on how we are working 

to reduce motorcycle casualties across Staffordshire including information 

on the routes where most motorcycle crashes occur. 

Welcome to the 2016 issue of the Staffordshire Biker guide produced by 

Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP). Motorcyclists account for 28% of 

those killed or seriously injured on Staffordshire’s roads, therefore we continually 

look for opportunities to support a reduction in biker casualties to provide a 

‘Safer Staffordshire’. 

We are proud of our engagement with bikers, so you may see us in popular 

biking spots around the county; we also engage with other road users about 

motorcycling issues. 

This year’s initiatives include: 

There will be more at the Bikers’ Breakfast events this year, with a few 

interesting competitions, and you have the opportunity to talk to one of 

our team (see page 4) 

The ‘Ride it Right’ scheme is a very successful initiative (see page 8) 

The Staffordshire Rider Development Pathway offers you the opportunity to 

have an assessed ride with Staffordshire Police or attend one of our subsidised 

BikeSense Rider Development days for only £30!! (see pages 36-39) 

‘The Adventures of Biker Jack’ is a campaign aiming to increase road 

safety awareness amongst young riders. We have a mobile app, website, 

supporting videos, competitions and young rider meets (see pages 30) 

Maybe you’d like to be involved with the great team that work in 

partnership with us for the benefit of bikers in Staffordshire (see page 6). 

We also have our Cleaner Safer Highway campaign, Kill Spills campaign and 

many other initiatives not included in this booklet. For more information on 

these come and see us at a Bikers’ Breakfast event or look for us at the many 

biker events that we attend; alternatively find us at www.staffsbiker.co.uk or 

contact us at bikers@staffordshire.gov.uk . 

2 Staffordshire Biker Staffordshire Biker 3

Bikers’ Breakfasts 2016 

With over 1500 motorcyclists attending our 

Bikers’ Breakfast events in 2015 we are making 

them bigger and better for 2016. This year, as 

well as having the opportunity to meet the 

team and the local organisations and clubs 

attending, we have competitions to win a Kindle 

Fire, a new set of Michelin tyres or ‘Beat the 

Buzzer’ and win a ‘Think Bike’ mug*. 

We have free rider assessments provided by BikeSense instructors, 

Staffordshire Police or the IAM observers at all venues, where you can find 

out more about our Staffordshire Rider Development Pathway and the 

opportunities available to you. 

All bikers who attend and complete our evaluation receive a FREE 

bacon or sausage bap (and maybe a mug of tea). 

Bikers’ Breakfast Calendar 

Sunday 5th June 


Sunday 3rd July 

Sunday 17th July 

Sunday 31st July 

Sunday 14th August 

The Loggerheads Hotel, Loggerheads, Newcastle 

The Four Ashes Inn, A449, Four Ashes 

The Darlaston Inn, Stone 

The Winking Man, Leek 

Wolverhampton Airport, Halfpenny Green 

The Beech Inn, Burton 

All Bikers’ Breakfast events run from 10am to 3pm. 

WIN 

Take part in our competition to win a set 

of Michelin Pilot Road 4 tyres. 

Designed for the Sport Touring market, these 

tyres offer outstanding rider confidence in 

a huge range of conditions thanks to some 

clever engineering by the experts at Michelin. 

Available in standard, trail and GT versions, 

this rubber is loaded with tyre technology 

including dual compounds, X-Sipe, X-Sipe+ 

and MICHELIN 2 AT (Dual angle Technology). 

Find out more about the Pilot Road 4 and 

Michelin’s extensive range of motorcycle and 

scooter tyres by visiting moto.michelin.co.uk 

MICHELIN PILOT 

ROAD 4 TYRES 

*While stocks last; an alternative may be given. 


Meet the Team 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matt Paines is a keen member of the 

focus group and attends all of the Bikers’ 

Breakfast events in his guise as ‘Secure Auto 

Track’ with security info and products. 

John McCoskry is a keen biker and a 

very active member of the group supporting the 

Bikers’ Breakfast and Biker Awareness events, 

and promotes the Cleaner Safer Highway 

campaign, being a farmer himself. 

Pauline Barnett, Gary Chantry, Martin Ellerton, Ken Gratton, Ian Maddock, 

Ant Newman, Mike Poxon and Scott Walker all make up the Motorcycle Focus Group and 

support the reduction of motorcycle casualties in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. 

We are always looking for those interested in joining the team and supporting one of the most 

forward thinking and biker friendly road safety teams in the country. If you’d like to know more 

email Kevin at bikers@staffordshire.gov.uk. 

Kevin Wilcox, Road Safety Officer, project 

manages the Staffordshire Motorcycle Casualty 

Reduction Plan on behalf of Staffordshire County 

Council and Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership. 

Martin Bishop, lifelong Christian biker, 

a very active member of the group and gets 

involved annually with the Bikers’ Breakfast 

and Biker Awareness events. 

Lizzie Powell, a great lady biker, is very 

active in all areas of the group, supporting the 

Bikers’ Breakfast events and Young Rider initiatives. 

Paul Butterworth, Shireoak Training, is 

a motorcycle trainer who also instructs on the 

BikeSense scheme and actively supports young 

riders; often seen at our Bikers’ Breakfast events. 

Chris Clegg, a former police 

motorcyclist, is an instructor for the 

BikeSense scheme and can be seen 

actively promoting this and other 

initiatives at all our biker events. 

Bill Hollingshead, Lichfield 

Advanced Motorcyclists, has been a 

member of the motorcycle focus group 

and regular at all events since 2006. 

Bill can often be seen with a camera 

in his hand taking many of the photos 

seen in this booklet. 


Ride it Right Routes 

Following the introduction of the ‘Ride it Right’ routes 

in 2006 we continue to see a reduction of motorcycle 

casualties on the stretches of road where we use the yellow 

signs. The signs have messages to warn car drivers such 

as ‘Think Bike’ or ‘Beware! Bikers’ and signs to warn bikers 

such as ‘Ride Safely’ or ‘Bikers Beware!’, and the sign ‘High 

Number of Motorcycle Casualties’ provides a reminder to all 

road users why we site the signs where we do. 

Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership takes its ‘Think Bike’ stand to 

events across the county promoting the routes and raising awareness 

with other road users through our ‘Are you biker aware?’ campaign. 

But we all have to play a part in staying safe on the roads, so when you 

come across the signs please take extra care and keep safe. 

The maps on the following pages show where bikers have crashed 

along the routes over the past five years, with further information as to 

why these routes were chosen for the summer of 2016. 


A5 

A5 

A53 

RIDE IT RIGHT ROUTES 

TThe routes on the following pages 

have been identified as the stretches 

of road where a high number of 

motorcycle casualties have occurred 

over the last five years. 

A523 

Leek 

A521 

A53 

A527 

A523 

A520 

A500 

A52 

A52 

Newcastle 

2 

8 

Stoke 

on 

Trent 

7 

A522 

A50 

Eccleshall 

Gnosall 

Penkridge 

Stafford 

Rugeley 

Uttoxeter 

Based upon Ordnance Survey material © 

Crown copyright and database right 2007. 

All rights reserved. Ordanance Survey 

licence number 100019422 

A51 

A520 

A53 

A518 

A51 

M6 

Stone 

A511 

A34 

A5013 

A519 

A515 

A51 

A518 

A513 

A513 

A513 

A515 

A38 

A38 

A460 

A34 

A51 

A5190 

A513 

1 

A51 

A449 

A34 

4 

A5 

A453 

A38 

A5127 

M54 M6 Toll 

6 

4 

Cannock 

1 

Lichfield 

Burton 

upon 

Trent 

Alrewas 

Tamworth 

5 

A41 

A454 

Wombourne 

A449 

3 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

Route 

1 

2 

A5 Weston-under-Lizard to Weeford 

A34 Kidsgrove to Stafford 

A458 Stourbridge to Six Ashes 

A460 Rugeley to Wolverhampton 

A511 Tutbury to Bretby 

A518 Stafford to Uttoxeter 

A520 Stone to Leek 

A527 Newcastle to Biddulph 

A458 

Kinver 

N 


1 

2 

Weston- 

under- 

Lizard 

1 

1 

A5 

Area covered 

Weston-under-Lizard 

to Weeford 

Gailey 

3 

12 1 

Distance 

23.2 miles 

M6 N 

M6 S 

3 

Four Crosses 

Pub 

A4601 

Cannock 

A460 

5 

1 

A460 

3 

8 

A34 

6 

A34 

1 

Crash Figures 

Crashes involving bikes: 59 

Bikers killed or injured: 60 

3 

Turf Inn 

Pub 

3 

Crash Report 

How many of these crashes 

happened: 

A5 

Brownhills 

A452 

17% 

Involving a 

goods vehicle 

Did you know? 

In good weather 77% 

2 

A461 

Verdict 

What caused the motorcycle 

crashes on this route? 

1 

1 

Failing to look properly 

is a common factor 

linked to motorcycle 

crashes on this route. 

Rider error 39% 

Wall 

6 

Driver error 61% 

3 

A38 A38 

2 2 

Key 

1 Number of incidents 

Weeford 

N 


A500 

2 

1 

1 

A34 

Kidsgrove 

1 

1 

1 

A525 

1 

3 

3 

2 

A500 

A51 

A500 

4 

Newcastle 

under Lyme 

1 

3 

Stoke-on-Trent 

3 

2 

2 

1 

1 

A500 

1 

2 

2 

Stone 

4 

A34 

Area covered 

Kidsgrove to Stafford 

Distance 

23.5 miles 

Crash Figures 



Crash Report 


happened: 

On a roundabout 49% 

Riders aged 16-25 

years of age 

43% 

Verdict 





Making a poor turn or 

manoeuvre is a common 

factor linked to motorcycle 


1 

5 

1 

4 

2 

A51 

Did you know? 

N 

A513 

Stafford 

Key 

1 

Number of 

incidents 


Six Ashes 2 

A458 

2 

1 

Enville 

A449 

A458 

A449 

1 

1 

1 

Did you know? 

Exceeding the speed limit or riding 

to fast for the conditions as a 

common factor linked to crashes on 

this route. 

2 

N 

A458 

Area covered 

Stourbridge to Six Ashes 

Stourbridge 

Distance 

8.5 miles 

Crash Figures 



Crash Report 


happened: 

Single vehicle 

accident 

30% 

In the daytime 90% 

Verdict 





Key 

1 

Number of incidents 


A460 

Area covered 

Rugeley to Wolverhampton 

Distance 

16.2 miles 

A51 

2 

A460 

Rugeley 

1 

1 

A51 

Crash Figures 



Crash Report 


happened: 

Cannock 

Chase 

On or about a 

roundabout 

55% 


Verdict 



Hednesford 

Cannock 

A4601 

4 

2 

2 

2 

3 

N 



A5190 

Key 

1 

Number of 

incidents 

Featherstone 

M54 

1 

To 

Telford A5 2 

9 

A5 

M6 N 

1 

1 

4 

3 

2 

11 

A460 

2 

M54 

1 

M6 S 

To 

Wolverhampton 

2 

To 

Tamworth 

Did you know? 

Failing to look properly or 

failing to judge the other 

persons path or speed is 

a common factor linked 

to motorcycle crashes on 

this route. 


Tutbury 

A511 

1 

A38 

A5121 

A38 

A5121 

Burton upon Trent 

A511 

Bretby 

Stapenhill Road 

2 

5 

2 

2 

1 

A511 

Area covered 

Tutbury to Bretby 

Distance 

5.9 miles 

Did you know? 

Two thirds of 

motorcycle crashes on 

this route are on bikes 

of 125cc or below. 

N 

Key 

1 


Crash Figures 



Crash Report 


happened: 

At a junction 45% 


years of age 

56% 

Verdict 





2 

2 

2 

1 

5 

1 

1 


A518 

Area covered 

Stafford to Uttoxetter 

Distance 

12.8 miles 

A51 

To 

Stone 

Did you know? 

Loss of control is a 

common factor linked to 

motorcycle crashes on 

this route. 

Amerton Farm 

1 

4 

Aldery Bank 

N 

Stafford 

A518 

1 

To 

Rugeley 

A51 

Weston 

Uttoxeter 

A50 

A50 

2 

Stowe by 

Chartley 

Loxley 

A518 

1 

County 

Showground 

A513 

1 

1 

1 

Crash Figures 



Crash Report 


happened: 

1 1 


Single vehicle 

accidents 

Number of 

incidents 

36% 

Verdict 





Key 

1 


Leek 

2 

A520 

1 

Area covered 

Stone to Leek 

A520 

Cheddleton 

Distance 

16.2 miles 

1 

Did you know? 

Wetley Rocks 

N 

A52 

1 

Failing to look properly 




A52 

1 

1 

4 

Crash Figures 



4 

A50 

1 

A50 

Crash Report 


happened: 

2 


Key 

1 

1 

At a junction 54% 

Rough Close 

In wet weather 23% 

1 

Verdict 



A520 


1 


1 

4 

Stone 


A527 

Area covered 

Newcastle under Lyme 

to Biddulph 

Distance 

10.8 miles 

Crash Figures 



Crash Report 


happened: 

Key 

1 

Number of 

incidents 

Biddulph 

2 

1 

1 

A527 

Knypersley 

On bikes of 125cc 

or less 


years of age 

73% 

41% 

Brindley Ford 

N 

Verdict 





3 

2 

6 

2 

1 

2 

1 

Chell 

Did you know? 

A5272 

Failed to look properly 




A527 

A50 

1 

Newcastle under Lyme 


We provide a ‘Biker 

Awareness’ leaflet to give 

to car drivers at events 

around the county. If you 

would like to support our 

campaign and receive 

a supply of the leaflets 

please contact us. 

We don’t only attend and organise events for 

bikers, we have many initiatives that engage with 

car drivers too and we can be seen at many events 

and venues around the county, including Alton 

Towers, Trentham Gardens and the County Show. 

In April and May we particularly 

provide a focus on motorcyclists and 

we promote ‘Think Bike’ on local 

radio, billboards and petrol pumps. 

With our ‘Cleaner Safer 

Highway’ campaign we 

offer free signs to farmers 

to use when they 

are working on the 

highway. 

If you would like to support us by distributing any of the resources 

listed above then please contact us at bikers@staffordshire.gov.uk or 

come to see us at a Bikers’ Breakfast event. 


Young Motorcyclist's 

Wanted Now 

Competition 

Lots of prizes to be won 

and it’s FREE to enter. 

for young motorcycle and moped riders 

Mobile App 

Download the ‘Biker Jack’ 

mobile app for lots of info 

for young riders. 

Young 

Rider Meets 

Join us at one of our 

young rider meets and 

meet our team, and get a 

FREE burger and drink. 

BIKER JACK' 

'THE ADVENTURES of BIKER JACK' 

MObile APP is available tO 

dOwnlOad free 

FIND OUT MORE 

We have a website filled with tips for young riders, 

including information about all of our schemes. 

You will find links to 'Biker Jack' mobile app and 

more information on the competitions. 

www.staffsyoungriders.co.uk 


WHAT TO WEAR 

GLOVES 

HELMET 

How much do you value your 

head? Make sure you buy one 

to the correct standard and 

keep it fastened, it’s the law. 

JACKET 

Your first instinct when coming off your bike is to put your 

hands down and without gloves it takes less than a second 

for the road to strip your skin to the bone. 

Riding in everyday clothes puts you 

at real risk of injury should anything 

go wrong, so buy a specialist jacket. 

BOOTS 

In the event of a crash the lower legs and feet are 

the most likely parts of our body to get injured. 

TROUSERS 

Abrasive injuries from wearing insufficient 

protection applies to your legs too, so 

forget those shorts and jeans. 

Don’t just buy it. Ask your mates what they recommend, 

and try it on for comfort and the ability to ride in the clothing. 


It’s so important that your bike is ready and safe for the road, so checking 

your bike before every ride could save your skin. Follow our guide on 

what to do before you go out on the road and stay safe. 

Petrol..Oil..Water..Damage..Electrics..Rubber….. 

POWDER 

prepares your bike for safer reliable riding 

Petrol: 

• Full (not sure just look in tank) 

• Reserve tap off 

• No leaks 

• Key to cap if different 

• Money for more 

Oil in engine: 

• To correct level, check on level ground 

with bike upright 

• Top up only with motorcycle oil 

• Check brake and clutch fluids (on 

handle bars and by rear brake) 

• No leaks (inc forks / shocks / calipers) 

oil on chain and chain adjusted 

(check with bike out of gear) 

Water topped up: 

• Not leaking (look for water drips or dry white powder deposits 

around joints or corrosion) 

• Level 

• Colour 

• Hoses chaffed 

• Radiators damaged 

Damage: 

• Corrosion damage (foot pegs, side stands seized) 

• Unfinished jobs 

• Parts broken or damaged in shed as well as on road 

• Bits hung or dropped on bike 

• Ready for ride status (pillion pegs, straps removed, mirrors tight, 

handle bar ends tight, seats fastened) 

Electrics: 

• Lively battery on start up 

• Lights are clean, no water ingress 

• Lights – brake lamps off both brakes – headlamp adjusted 

• Horn 

• Warning lamps on 

Rubber: 

• Tyres - tread – damage – foreign objects 

• Tyre pressures 

• Oil on tyres 

• Wheels for damage, weights missing, 

corrosion, loose spokes, rusty water 

• Brakes visual. “Always carry out a 

static (when getting on) and rolling 

brake check” 


Staffordshire Rider 

Development Pathway 

The aim of the Staffordshire Rider Development Pathway is to reduce the 

number of motorcycle casualties on Staffordshire’s roads by providing an 

assessment; appropriate instruction to enable motorcyclists to improve 

their riding skills, competence, and road safety awareness; and the 

opportunity to develop their skills through advanced riding courses. 

Staffordshire Police RideBy5 

An initiative that has been developed to give riders 

an opportunity to have their riding ability assessed 

by a Staffordshire Police motorcycle rider. 

The scheme consists of a presentation and a oneto-one 

assessed ride, followed by constructive 

feedback to help the rider to develop their skills. 

You can find out more by emailing the team at 

RideBy5@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk. 

BikeSense Rider Development 

BikeSense is a rider development scheme for full motorcycle licence holders 

designed to improve the motorcyclist’s riding skills through assessment and 

appropriate remedial and developmental training. The scheme provides 

specific instruction to cover areas such as hazard perception, reading the road, 

road handling, positioning, overtaking and defensive riding. 

The subsidised instruction is provided by Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership 

through a panel of Staffordshire County Council approved instructors at a 

number of venues throughout Staffordshire. 

The day costs only £30 and is available by contacting us on 0300 111 8012. 

Attending the BikeSense day will qualify you for a £50 cash back offer with 

Devitt or Bikesure Insurance (new business only) and a £50 subsidy on 

further development with the IAM or the Enhanced Rider Scheme (subject to 

availability). Dates and venues are listed on page 39. 

Further and Advanced Training 

Riders could become better and more confident by taking further training to 

improve their riding skills. Post-test training is designed for full-licence holders 

who would like to improve certain areas of their riding. A £50 subsidy is 

available (Staffordshire residents only) on the following schemes when you 

attend BikeSense; registration is necessary as places are limited and clients 

should not do the scheme without receiving confirmation from Staffordshire 

Safer Roads Partnership. 

Enhanced Rider Scheme 

The DSA’s Enhanced Rider Scheme (ERS) is training designed for fully licensed 

motorcyclists who would like to improve certain areas of their riding skills. 

As training is tailored to your needs, you do as little or as much training as 

required to help reduce key risk areas in on-road riding. 

Institute of Advanced Motorists 

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) provides a package of lessons by 

qualified observers with the aim of supporting motorcyclists to pass their 

Advanced Riding Test. The ‘Skill for Life’ programme helps to develop riders 

into a safer more confident rider. 


What is BikeSense? 

The best and safest riders know the value of improving their riding standards. 

Some do this by joining advanced riding clubs or by taking additional riding 

instruction. 

Staffordshire County Council is committed to reducing motorcycle casualties and 

improving the services offered to riders in Staffordshire. We offer a full days training 

with experienced and skilled instructors for just £30, or £60 on a 1:1 basis in the week. 

The instruction you receive will be tailored to you, there is no set agenda 

for the day. You complete a rider profile to self-assess your skills and have 

an assessed ride, then the rest of the day is taken up by addressing your 

development needs to make you a better safer rider. 

We have been running the scheme since 2006 and have never had any 

negative feedback; it’ll be well worthwhile, you won’t regret it. Some of the 

comments we received in 2015 were: 

“Best £30 I have spent in a long time” Mick B 

“Had a great day with an excellent instructor who made the learning very 

enjoyable and I really have benefitted from it” Richard B 

“The BikeSense day was absolutely brilliant. Great 

fun, enjoyable riding and I learnt so much, even 

after riding for years, many thanks” Deb M 

We offer weekend days from Stoke, Uttoxeter 

and Cannock for £30 from April to October, or 

a 1:1 session in the week for £60 (2:1 at £30 

when available) all year round. Just contact us 

on 0300 111 8012 for more information or 

to book. 

38 Staffordshire Biker 

Bike Sense Dates 2016 

Date 

Sunday 17th April 

Sunday 1st May 

Sunday 8th May 





Sunday 3rd July 


Saturday 16th July 


Sunday 31st July 


Saturday 13th August 

Sunday 21st August 


Sunday 4th September 

Sunday 18th September 

Sunday 2nd October 

Sunday 9th October 

Venue 

Stoke 

Cannock 

Uttoxeter 

Stoke 

Cannock 

Uttoxeter 

Cannock 

Uttoxeter 

Stoke 

Cannock 

Uttoxeter 

Stoke 

Cannock 

Uttoxeter 

Stoke 

Cannock 

Uttoxeter 

Stoke 

Cannock 

Uttoxeter 

To book your BikeSense Rider Development Day call 

0300 111 8012 (numbers limited per day) 

Staffordshire Biker 39

ENHANCE YOUR 

SKILLS FOR JUST £30 

CALL 0300 111 8012 

TO BOOK 

with BikeSense 

applicable on new business with 

selected companies 

Further post-test 

subsidies available. 

81079/4/16

BIKER

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