BIKERS from across the Borders are being invited to start improving their skills next month - for free.

Following on from the previous two years’ successful road safety initiative, Scottish Borders Council and the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), Borders Group of Advanced Motorcyclists are once again running the Border Bikers Open Day.

On offer at the Skill for Life event on Saturday, April 8 are 20 sponsored IAM’s advanced rider training courses for local riders.

Spokeswoman Andrea Pogson told us: "This initiative has proved extremely successful and, as in the previous two years, we look anticipating that all 20 of the available Skills for Life, funded by SBC and conducted by Borders Group of Advanced Motorcyclists, will taken up, very quickly, on the day.

"Once again qualified observers from the bike group will be on hand to take riders out for an assessed ride.

"This will give the prospective associates an opportunity to discuss their current skills with the observers, ways they could improve their riding and a flavour of what would be expected once they commenced the Skills for Life programme."

Skill for Life courses for motorcyclists encourages bikers to ride defensively and sharpen their riding skills.

The programme teaches five phases of advanced riding; information, position, speed, gear and acceleration.

Regardless of whether riders are navigating country lanes, busy roads or tackling the challenging British weather, they will be equipped to have the skills and knowledge to remain confident and in control.

Ms Pogson added: "Safety is part of the advanced riding programme, but it also encourages you to feel confident on the road, to make good progress, and to get even greater enjoyment from the experience."

Everyone who attends can expect to receive a warm welcome from the group and hopefully, as in previous years, the weather will be kind to the riders for their assessed ride based around Galashiels and Selkirk which will include a variety of A and B class roads.

Of the 20 riders who signed up last year, 15 have now passed their advanced test, with five carrying over to the new season.

Once again, SBC and the Borders Group of Advanced Motorcyclists are offering riders the opportunity for a free 30 minute assessment ride during the Open Day, which is ideal for preparing for the start of the biking season.

The campaign will run throughout the peak riding season this spring and summer, when, historically, the number of motorcyclists killed and seriously injured on the roads sees an increase.

Motorcyclists make up just one per cent of the traffic on our roads but over the last few years have accounted for more than 20 per cent of deaths and serious injuries in the Scottish Borders.

The Border Bikers Open Day runs from 10am to 3pm at Galashiels Fire Station on Saturday, April 8.

For more information on Skill for life course go to the website iam.org.uk/riders and to book a sponsored place on the ‘Skill for Life’ phone 0300 303 1134 (quote BBOD).