Lessons in how to take a motorcyclist's helmet off safely included in drive to reduce biker deaths in Borders
Last updated 19th Jul 2025
Motorists are to be shown resuscitation techniques and how to take motorcyclists' helmet off safely as part of a drive to reduce the number of bikers killed or seriously injured on our region's roads.
Police, fire, and ambulance crews are joining forces with the Borders Group of Advanced Motorists for this weekend's Biker Down! event at the Carter Bar, on the Scotland-England border.
It's hoped the life-saving skills could help in an emergency.
The event follows a spate of fatal crashes and comes amid concerns the loss of immediate round-the-clock cover at Hawick Fire Station could lead to longer response times and cost lives.
Elliot Whitson, Community Safety Station Commander at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, told Greatest Hits Radio: "The aim of this event is firstly to highlight the amount of accidents all of the emergency services partners are experiencing within the Scottish Borders area, in particular with regards to motorcycles.
"Data suggests that a lot of the bikers are coming from England to take in the picturesque scenery of the area - particularly in the summer months - but may be unfamiliar with the Borders road network.
"While we wish to encourage visitors to the area, we aim to educate them on safety and also provide guidance on CPR techniques and helmet removal should they encounter an accident and be able to act as a First Responder until such time as the emergency services arrive."
And he added: "We chose the Carter Bar as it's an ideal stopping point for riders coming from England, but also for riders travelling from Scotland south-bound."
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Free refreshments will be available at Sunday's event, which runs from 11am to 3pm (July 20th).
It comes just a week after a 57-year-old man was taken to hospital with serious injuries after his motorbike was involved in a crash, near the entrance to Pines Burn windfarm, on the B6399 road between Hawick and Newcastleton.
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Speaking earlier this year, Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan, head of Road Policing in Scotland, said: “Motorcyclists are one of the most vulnerable road users. Cornering left hand bends and overtaking are the most common collision types. I’m asking bikers to be aware of these risks, take extra care in these situations and share this information.
“For other drivers, you are more likely to see a motorcyclist on the road from now until autumn so take an extra look for them, especially in rural areas on a weekend.
“Take responsibility and take care of each other on the road.”
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