BIKERS using the roads around Bromsgrove and Droitwich are being warned to take care if they’re heading out to take advantage of the warm weather with a ride.

West Midlands Ambulance Service has warned that motorbike users approximately 38 times more likely to be killed in a road accident than people travelling in a car, and last year 331 bikers were killed on UK roads.

Motorbike paramedic and star of TV’s Emergency Bikers, Mark Hayes, said: “Unfortunately, motorcyclists get a bad press, purely because of the amount of injuries suffered and the amount that turn fatal.

“I believe as a motorcyclist that a lot of these accidents are avoidable and we can minimise injury by wearing the correct gear.”

Bikers are being advised to stay alert and slow down when necessary, so that they’re in a position to observe potential hazards.

They’re also being warned of the dangers of not wearing suitable protective clothing, as well as their helmet, even in the current warm weather.

Fellow paramedic and Emergency Biker Steve Harris, added: “I would never dream of riding a bike without boots, leathers, armour, gloves and a crash helmet. I don’t care what the weather is like, I don’t care how hot it is, I still need to be protected.

“You might be very tempted to ride a bike with your t-shirt on, but should anything occur you are going to suffer. There is nothing worse than sliding down the road without protection on.”