MOTORCYCLISTS of all ages and abilities are being encouraged to "take control" this spring through the Safer Roads Partnership’s subsidised motorcycle skills enhancement course.

The Take Control course is available to all riders of mopeds, scooters and motorbikes across Worcestershire, Shropshire, Herefordshire and Telford and Wrekin who want to brush up on their biking skills, gain more confidence on their bike or become a better rider in preparation for their full test.

The course can be taken over half a day or a full day and is tailored to the needs of the individual rider, so is suitable for beginners and experienced riders.

The course is subsidised by the Safer Roads Partnership, with support from NHS Worcestershire Public Health and the TTC Group.

A half-day course is available for £25 and a full day is £50.

Anna Higgins, communications manager at the Safer Roads Partnership, said: “This is a great opportunity for riders to get ready for the new biking season. It’s advisable to check your bike over before you take it out after the winter, so why not brush up on your riding skills at the same time?

“The course is available to riders of all ages and abilities but we’d particularly welcome new or inexperienced riders and feel that they would really benefit from the course and the chance to gain new skills and experience with a trained instructor, which will be invaluable out on the roads.

"As the course is subsidised by the partnership, it offers fantastic value when compared with the usual cost of motorcycle or moped skills training.

“West Mercia is a very popular area for bikers and, as such, attracts many riders to the area. Take Control allows riders to enhance their skills to improve their own safety on the roads over the motorcycling season.

"Part of our overall Think Bike campaign is to not only provide this subsidised training for bikers but to also raise awareness among other motorists about the importance of looking out for motorbikes.”

Take Control courses are delivered by advanced trained and qualified instructors from RMT Motorcycle Training and are available across the West Mercia area.

Visit rmtnet.co.uk/take-control for more information. To book a place, call 01527 500 333 or email takecontrol@rmtnet.co.uk.

To be eligible for Take Control, people must be aged over 16 and own their own moped, scooter or motorbike and have adequate protective clothing.

Moped riders must have passed their CBT (Compulsory Basic Training).