Motorcycle road deaths in the North have nearly tripled inside two years, new British government figures revealed today.
With hundreds of bikers heading for the Ulster Grand Prix at Dundrod, Co Antrim, this weekend, the Department of the Environment (DoE) has pleaded with motorcyclists to slow down.
So far this year 16 people have been killed, compared to just six in 2001. The death toll has also risen by a third from 12 months ago.
A DoE poll showed one in every five motorcyclists believe they can ignore speed limits and still feel in control.
But Mr Harry Green, the department's chief road safety education officer, warned: "Bikers are not immortal - in fact, they are one of the most vulnerable roaduser groups.
"Bikers who travel at more than 20mph above the speed limit do so in blatant defiance of the law and display total disregard for their own safety and the safety of other road users. Such behaviour is irresponsible and reckless".
PA