BORN-again bikers are to get safety advice at a series of events to try to cut the high death toll among motor-cyclists.

Over the past decade, 95 motorcyclists have been killed in Oxfordshire, including eight last year.

National figures show motorcyclists account for just one per cent of total road traffic in Britain, but make up 19 per cent of fatalities.

Last year, motorcyclists accounted for 26 per cent of the county’s 30 road deaths.

Now one of the county’s largest biker groups has organised three special meetings to pass on safety tips.

In their sights are novice riders and born-again bikers – people who may have returned to motorcycling after 10 or 20 years away from the saddle.

Steve Harding, 59, chairman of H Riders, which has 368 members, said: “We have got to bring the number of deaths down.

“In the Thames Valley, bikers suffered 15 fatalities last year and eight in Oxfordshire.

“These deaths aren’t all the bikers’ fault – there are other problems with drivers pulling out on them.

“Even one death is too many and if what we’re doing saves one life, we have done a good job.”

Mr Harding, who began biking as a teenager but only got back on two wheels 10 years ago, after a long break, said: “People don’t always realise the power of the new bikes they buy.

“Youngsters will get on these bikes and think they’re bulletproof.

“The council can bleat at them until they’re blue in the face but these youngsters will only take notice of fellow bikers. These events are particularly useful for people who aren’t aware of how powerful modern machines are, because their bikes in the 60s didn’t go much over 50mph.”

Jacqui Williams, 50, a freelance photographer from Headington, in Oxford, took up biking last year. She said: “I think the safety day is very important.

“If you’re a novice, it doesn’t matter what age you are when you get a machine, you think ‘let’s push it to the limit.’ “Most people in the biking community will know someone who has died in a biking accident.”

She added: “We all need to be more aware of bikers – every road user should come to these meetings and be aware of each other, because no-one owns the road.”

The first meeting is on Sunday, March 7, at H Cafe, on the A4`15 Oxford Road, near Berinsfield.

Insp Paul Winks, head of roads policing in Oxfordshire, said: “Many of these accidents happened when motorcyclists were out riding in groups for pleasure at the weekend.

“The key to reducing these casualties is through education – anything that’s being done to help prevent motorcyclist fatalities or serious accidents has to be welcomed.

“I commended the responsible attitude and the initiative being shown by H Cafe and the motorcycle club using the cafe.”

Oxfordshire County Council spokesman Louise Mendonca said: “Over the past three months we have established a comprehensive motorcycle strategy, which includes going to four shows per year, including the one at H Cafe.”