Motorcyclists will talk about riding from their point of view

Motorcyclists make up just 1% of traffic on roads but account for 14% of deaths and serious injuries in crashes.

In 2003, eight motorcyclists were killed on the county's roads.

Bikers are being asked for suggestions on how collisions can be reduced in surveys on a website and at a forum which is being set up.

Powerful bikes in the wrong hands are a lethal weapon Philip Neale

The Cornwall Motorcyclists' Forum will meet regularly and tell the police and county council what it thinks needs to be done to prevent any more fatalities and serious injuries.

Experienced biker Philip Neale, from Porthtowan, said the need to address the problem was overdue.

He said: "I'm horrified at the number of accidents.

"Motorcyclists don't have the benefits of a safety cage around them. If a rider comes unstuck because of bad riding, they're more likely to get injured or even worse. ."

He said he believed that any driver, whether on two wheels or four, needed to sharpen up their road skills.

He said: "I think driving standards across the board need to be improved.

"But bike riders need to get as much experience as they can and improve their skills to the highest possible level.

"Powerful bikes in the wrong hands are a lethal weapon."

Action points

The county council has bought in road safety consultant Alan Tilly from the Transport Research Laboratory in Berkshire to work with the forum.

He said: "Motorcyclists are legitimate road users, but often they're overlooked.

"We're going to consult with local riders, they know the issues and problems better than anybody else, ask what are their concerns are and what can be done to overcome them.

"We'll come up with a series of action points that the council can implement to reduce casualties. After that, we'll come back and see if they are working."

The county council's Head of Transportation, Colin Jarvis, said: "Speaking to the riders themselves directly will give a valuable insight into motorcycling from the riders' point of view."

The first meeting of the forum is being held on Wednesday at 1830 GMT at New County Hall in Truro.