The number of biker deaths is rising

Sixteen motorcyclists have died so far this year - including five in one weekend.

North Wales Police has already introduced a zero-tolerance approach to speeding bikers after seeing seven fatal motorbike accidents on its roads in a matter of weeks - compared to 10 for the whole of 2002.

The force's deputy chief constable, Bill Brereton - whose 20-year-old daughter died in a motorcycle accident - launched the Wales-wide safety drive in Aberystwyth on Tuesday.

BikeSafe Cymru offers motorbike riders the chance to have their riding technique examined by a professional instructor.

People are buying powerful machines which frankly exceed their skills Bill Brereton

Traffic police are urging riders of all ages to brush up their handling skills to avoid being the "idiot on the machine".

Mr Brereton, who rides a 1,200cc BMW motorbike, said: "The 16 bike deaths so far this year is far too high a death toll and we must do whatever we can to reduce that.

"It's the idiot on the machine which is the big factor.

"People are buying powerful machines which frankly exceed their skills - we have middle-aged males on a Sunday afternoon, on a powerful machine, they lose it and then they end up dead.

"Riding my own machine or driving in my car, you see people who do stupid things, who clearly do not know how to handle their machine.

Safety work: Bill Brereton wants to target 'idiot' motorbike riders

"People who do wheelies, clearly they do not have control and are very, very vulnerable."

BikeSafe Cymru is holding a series of events and promotions across Wales during the summer to offer advice and guidance on all aspects of motorcycling.

North Wales Police decided to get tough in March this year after five motorcyclists were killed in a period of eight days on the area's many narrow and twisting roads.

Death

Despite a crackdown on speeding bikers, two more riders died in one weekend just weeks later.

Mr Brereton said the area's mountain and coastal roads were an attraction to riders from both sides of the border, but they needed to use their machines safely.

He said: "The message is Wales is a lovely place to come, work, live, ride, but please do it safely."

His daughter Jennifer was killed in May 2001 when the tail pack on her bike slipped over the rear wheel as she was riding along a motorway in Merseyside.

She was thrown her from the machine. Her death was witnessed by her father who was riding a short distance behind her.