Friday 6th August 2004

Fireblade for Police

Hot bike for plod

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Durham police are set to unveil the force’s new Honda ‘PoliceBlade’ this weekend at the annual Bikewise motorcycle road safety event (Sunday 8 August, 10.00am – 5.00pm) at the county’s police headquarters.

The Bikewise event is celebrating its 10th anniversary and is viewed by Durham police as an ideal way to interact with local riders and motorcycle clubs to promote safer riding and to help reduce casualties on the roads of Co. Durham.

"Honda has supported Bikewise from the very start," says Sgt. Bob Brown of Durham Constabulary. "This is the second Fireblade that they have helped us with and we also have an SP-1 sports bike. They act as a perfect ice-breaker and PR tool and we’ll have all three at Bikewise this weekend."

The Durham force has a dedicated motorcycle unit with nine officers and, in addition to the new ‘PoliceBlade’, the two-wheeled fleet is made up of Honda ST1100 and ST1300 machines.

"We’re Honda through and through," confirms Sgt. Brown, "and you can imagine that all the officers are fighting for the Blade keys at the moment; but that only shows we’re all bikers at heart. Just because we’re police officers, we’re not ‘out to get’ motorcyclists – we simply want to encourage safer riding and to help reduce casualties."

Mervyn Smith, corporate sales manager for Honda Motorcycles, is a big fan of Durham Constabulary. "It’s not just because they’re one of our best customers," he says, "it’s because of their unique approach to motorcycle safety."

He continues: "They would much rather talk to local riders about any bad riding habits than prosecute them and this stunning new ‘PoliceBlade’ is a perfect way to engage them in that kind of dialogue."

[crankedup]

I do not disagree with any of whats been said. But I would not want to ride the Blade all day wearing BiB riding gear - must be agony?

[gfun]

Strange thought speed was very very dangerus?

[hongkongfooi]

gfun said:

Strange thought speed was very very dangerus?

I think you need the extra oomph to keep up with the weekend riders!
We have had a GSXr1000 for a couple of months now in sussex and its been well recieved.

[BliarOut]

Far better budgeting than speedcams... But where would they keep the doughnuts?

Round of applause to Durham, unless that thing ever catches me speeding of course.

[bilko]

I would imagine that any policeing done at the speed that this thing is capable of with be done by helicopters and roadblocks.

Even though i guess this bike is nothing more than a PR tool for the police i can think of much worse ways that they could and have spent money.

I like the bit about encouraging safer riding practice rather than immediate prosecution; a very responsible attitude to policing i think.

Now all we need is a couple of TVR squad cars to tame the traffic light sprinters and whilst they are sat in Mcdonalds carpark educating the local youth about the joys of "making progress " in a safe and responsible fashion, they can get their doughnuts too. To go!

[huge_ego]

hongkongfooi said:

We have had a GSXr1000 for a couple of months now in sussex and its been well recieved.

Hi Tim,

Is it in police colours??? (I live in Sussex.) Does the Gixxer go round bike meets then? Didn't think we had any schemes like Bikesafe in Sussex ... do we?

If you're in Sussex Traffic, then I know the odd one of your colleagues (via the IAM, not traffic offences!).

Cheers

[hongkongfooi]

huge_ego said:

hongkongfooi said: We have had a GSXr1000 for a couple of months now in sussex and its been well recieved. Hi Tim, Is it in police colours??? (I live in Sussex.) Does the Gixxer go round bike meets then? Didn't think we had any schemes like Bikesafe in Sussex ... do we? If you're in Sussex Traffic, then I know the odd one of your colleagues (via the IAM, not traffic offences!). Cheers

Yes I am in traffic, the bike is really a pr stunt as said about the other bike but it appeared at the hastings gathering a month or so back, if you are around the Hastings area and see a bald traffic officer say hi, i will be the one swealtering through dehydration in this weather!!

Stay safe

[huge_ego]

Well, if I can spot your head under the helmet, then I'll certainly say hi!