The Safer Essex Roads Partnership is calling for greater awareness of motorbike safety after incident figures have soared in the county.

The campaign, supported by Essex Police, was set up after emergency services were called to 64 fatal or serious collisions in the first five months of the year, each of which involve motorbikes, mopeds or scooters.

Adam Pipe, casualty reduction manager for Essex police, said: “In recent years we have had considerable successes in reducing fatal and serious injury motorcycle crashes.

“But the significant increases in fatal and serious injury collisions so far this year are extremely worrying and disappointing.

“More people are turning to motorbikes, scooters and mopeds as a cheaper form of transport and a significant number of collisions do involve riders travelling to and from work.”

In March, a Harlow-based motorcyclist was banned from driving for 15 months and fined £400 after doing speeds of 148mph on the M11.

In January, motorcycle-related incidents were at 14 per cent, but now they make up 33 per cent of all serious and fatal crashes.

Irresponsible driving is thought to be the reason for most of these accidents, particularly speeding, showing-off and disregard for other road users. The campaign seeks to discourage this with educational adverts, which will also appear on the radio.

As well as this, the Essex Police Casualty Reduction Section’s motorcycle unit will carry out roadside checks and speak to motorcyclists in the area. Some of their motorbikes will be unmarked too, allowing them to mingle in enthusiast groups and film any evidence of unsafe road-use.

Mr Pipe added: “We would prefer to educate riders and show them the consequences of riding too fast and taking too many risks.

“But we will definitely prosecute cases of high end offending, speed or careless or dangerous riding and put offenders before the courts as quickly as possible.”