Adie Scargill, sports bike rider and a police motorcyclist

The thrill of getting on the bike, the noise of it, the smell of the engine, the manoeuvrability, the acceleration of the thing - it’s addictive. I can’t get enough.

But we all know when we get on a motorbike we risk being seriously injured or killed. Whether that be through rider error or the fault of another road user.

And when I see the end result of a ride having gone wrong, it’s heartbreaking.

We’re the ones who go and tell the families that the person who left their house this morning, full of life and energy, looking forward to their day, is now dead or seriously injured, or is in a coma.

I never want to go to another motorcycle collision ever again, but I know before I finish my time as a police motorcyclist I sadly will.

I passed my police motorcycle course three years ago where I trained to ride safely to a response level.  All our police bikers have their own bikes, and we are all bike enthusiasts.

I’ve always had an interest in motorcycles from an early age and have followed the sport of speedway since 1974, after the police came to my school with motorbikes and inspired me.

My first bike was a speedway bike. I have always enjoyed watching sports bike racing, and have attended races around the country, since 1990. I’ve also attended the Isle of Man TT since 2004.

With a growing family, I was a late starter to buying a motorcycle, buying an entry level 650cc before moving onto a Honda Fire Blade, which I still have.

So, I want you to know, when the team or I stop you for any offences on your ride out, it’s not for any perverse pleasure to spoil your day, it’s because we want to keep everyone safe.

We want everyone to make it home.

We will always deal with anti-social and dangerous or poor riding; we aim to make the county safe for everyone to visit, work and live In. And most riders agree with us.

If you want to go faster, book a track day somewhere.  If you want to ride your bikes in Lincolnshire, do it safely and we’ll support you and engage with you.

If you ride anti-socially, break the speed limits and commit offences, we don’t want you in our county and our conversation with you won’t be supportive.

Check your bikes before you come out, make sure your tyres are at the legal limits, check your chain tension and get them properly lubricated, wear the correct clothing and an approved helmet.

If you’re out with friends or a group, make sure you plan your ride out, go at your own pace, don’t try to keep up for sake of losing face.

Keep to the legal speed limits, pick the right lines on the carriageway to give you the best view and safest way round that corner.

Speak to your car driving family and friends and tell them your experiences of what some car drivers do to endanger you.

Get their children to count bikes on a day out for a bit of fun, so they become used to noticing bikes out on the roads, for when they start driving.

Enjoy yourself but be safe.