Council gives £1,000 boost to volunteer road safety initiative

‘Doc Bike’ is an initiative run by Dr Ian Mew, consultant in Major Trauma at Dorset County Hospital and Dorset Police motorcycle instructor PC Chris Smith. It aims to reduce motorcycle deaths in Dorset through rider engagement, education and promoting safer riding among motorcyclists. ‘Doc Bike’ also responds to emergencies, delivering critical care at the roadside, working alongside the ambulance and air ambulance services.

The council’s Road Safety Team has awarded ‘Doc Bike’ £1,000 towards the cost of a new motorbike to continue the lifesaving service.

Road safety is a key priority for the council and it is keen to support initiatives that promote bike safety, especially as Poole Quay is a great draw for two-wheeled riders and enthusiasts during the Tuesday evening Poole Dream Machines season. Motorcyclists are statistically most likely to have an accident, and the council is targeting resources on Poole roads that have seen the most motorbike collisions.

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Lindsay Wilson, presented a cheque for £1,000 to ‘Doc Bike’ at the Poole Dream Machines event.

Cllr Wilson, said, “There is no doubt that Dr Mew is an exceptional person. Not only does he spend his working hours in a local hospital and in the Air Ambulance as a major trauma doctor, but he still finds time to work alongside Dorset Police assisting as a fast response doctor at the roadside and holding courses to educate riders in road safety and lifesaving procedures. It was an honour to present this cheque, which is going towards buying a new motorbike to enable Doc Bike to continue lifesaving assistance on our roads.”

Dr Mew responded, “It’s so rewarding to see the local authority take road safety seriously. Preventing accidents from happening rather than having to treat seriously injured casualties makes so much sense and is better for the rider and reduces the strain on emergency services and the NHS. Effective injury prevention is cheap, saves society money and keeps riders upright, which is the most important thing! I’m so grateful for this donation and look forward to working with the council to further advance the project in the future.”