More than 80 bikers were killed or seriously injured on the roads of North Wales last year.
The shock statistic emerged as North Wales Police begins a campaign to try to reduce the number of motorcycle-related deaths on the region's roads.
Although motorcyclists represent 1% of road traffic, they are 18% of all fatalities and 25% of all KSI (killed or seriosuly injured) casualties in North Wales.
From Friday, officers from the Roads Policing Unit will target popular meeting spots for enthusiasts and will patrol certain routes as part of Operation Darwen.
Operation Darwen is an all-Wales campaign which runs from Easter to early autumn and is aimed at motorcycle safety and reducing casualties on the roads.
In 2014, a total of 108 riders/pillions were killed or seriously injured in the region compared to 71 in 2013.
Riding around bends, near junctions, overtaking and loss of control were the majority of the causes of crashes.
In two of the collisions, alcohol was also a contributory factor.
Superintendent Rob Kirman said: “Nobody likes to have their skills challenged, but some riders do overrate their abilities on a bike with the mindset of ‘nothing will ever happen to me’.
“We have seen this on numerous occasions, particularly on bends and when overtaking.
“Historically, high numbers of motorcyclists come to North Wales due to the challenging nature of the roads.
“It is a fantastic area for riders and, as a passionate biker myself, I want riders to be able to enjoy our beautiful region safely.
“Reducing casualties remains one of our top priorities and Operation Darwen is one of the many campaigns and initiatives that we run throughout the year targeting high-risk road users.”
The force said statistics show those who are involved in collisions are men in their 40s and 50s, who come off their bike on either a weekend or a Wednesday between midday and 5pm.
Their fatigue then often gets the better of them on bends.
Supt Kirman said: “Whilst the vast majority of motorcyclists ride appropriately, some riders choose to use the roads as a racetrack, committing serious breaches of road safety legislation such as speeding and riding dangerously, thereby putting themselves and other road users at risk of death or life-changing injury.
“Some of the speeds we have clocked previously have been triple figures.”
Officers from GoSafe, the all Wales casualty reduction partnership, will also be deployed on Operation Darwen routes to look at all motorists.
Among the routes that will be routinely patrolled will be:
The A494 between Dolgellau and Bala
The A525 from Ruthin to Bwlchgwyn
The A525 / A539 Ruabon, Overton and Redbrook
The A5 between Betws-y-Coed and Corwen
The A543 between Denbigh and Pentrefoelas
The A5104/A494 Bryneglwys to Corwen
The route known as the EVO Triangle in Conwy, which incorporates the A483, A5 and the B4501, will also be patrolled.
see-http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/shocking-death-injury-toll-bikers-11061730
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