BIKERS are being urged to take more care on a county’s roads after the third rider was killed in the space of a week.

The collision on the A59 at Flaxby, North Yorkshire, on Saturday, follows the deaths of a rider at Ribblehead on Wednesday, and another at Busby Stoop last Monday.

It takes the death toll for this year so far to ten – already exceeding the total of seven deaths during the whole of last year.

As part of a drive to tackle the problem, North Yorkshire Police are holding a bike safety event in Bellerby on Saturday to educate riders about safety issues.

In addition, last month saw the county’s biggest biker safety event, involving more than 1,500 motorcyclists and organised by the 95 Alive York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership.

David Bowe, chairman of 95 Alive, said: “The aim was to talk to bikers to help make them more aware of the dangers, both to themselves and other drivers and riders who use the road.

“North Yorkshire is a beautiful county, but too many motorcyclists are taking too many risks, losing concentration or riding recklessly.”

In County Durham, there have been no motorcyclist fatalities this year.

PC Gary Ward, of Durham Police’s motorcycle unit, said: “Education is absolutely vital.

“We’ve been running Operation Educate for the past seven or eight years now, and it’s clearly working.

“We work with all roadusers to highlight safety issues, stressing that it’s not just about skill but also visibility, weather, road conditions and, of course, other road-users.”

The event at Bellerby on Saturday is free, and is hosted by Northallerton Advanced Bikes (Institute of Advanced Motorists) at Auto-Moto Racing, Manor Farm between 9.30am and 4pm.

Sergeant Richard Barnes, who is helping to co-ordinate the day, said: “The event will provide a friendly and informal opportunity for bikers to get together and get tips from advanced bikers and policetrained riders.

“With its challenging roads and great scenery, North Yorkshire is a magnet for bikers.

“We want everyone to enjoy the county, but at the same time stay safe.”

Anyone who witnessed Saturday’s collision, which happened at 8.30am, is asked to contact police on 0845-60-60-24-7.