MOTORCYCLISTS are being warned not to put lives at risk with dangerous driving over the Easter weekend.

North Yorkshire Police have told bikers that dangerous driving and speeding will not be tolerated.

The message comes as over the last ten years 158 people have died on roads in North Yorkshire in accidents involving bikers and 1,347 have been seriously hurt.

This weekend annually marks the start of the biker season and hundreds from across the region are expected to take on North Yorkshire’s challenging roads.

To combat bad and life-threatening riding police patrols will be on hand to ensure the roads are not used as racetracks.

Inspector John Settle, of the central area roads policing unit said: "We welcome bikers to North Yorkshire, but only those who are prepared to ride safely and within the law.

"Extra patrols will be deployed across the county this weekend to ensure that riders stay within the law and do not turn an enjoyable ride into a tragedy.

"Many of our officers are bikers themselves and can identify with riders and bike enthusiasts but dangerous and illegal riding will not be tolerated.

"They see first-hand the devastation and heartache suffered by those close to victims of road collisions.

"For every person killed or injured on our roads there are many loved ones, relatives and friends whose lives are changed forever because riders fail to heed the warnings.

"Our message is simple, if you come to North Yorkshire to ride safely, you are very welcome.

"If you come with a belief that you are above the law, we will be ready and waiting for you and you will feel the full force of the law."

The 95 Alive a local road safety partnership is urging bikers to go on training courses run by them with details at northyorkshirepolice@bikesafe.co.uk.