The Easter weekend is traditionally one of the busiest of the year for organised bike rides and Kent Police was keen to ensure those taking part took all necessary precautions to protect themselves whilst ensuring other road users were also driving in accordance with the law.

On Sunday 17 April 2022 motorcycle officers spoke with bikers at the Blue Bell Hill services between Chatham and Maidstone and gave advice on the law relating to number plates, exhausts and other issues.

They also carried out high visibility patrols on the roads between Ashford and Rye, and spent time carrying out enforcement activity against drivers and riders of all vehicles on the A2070.

Speed checks were also carried out in Appledore, Ashford town centre, Charing and Harrietsham.

A total of 19 traffic offence reports were issued for excess speed with further reports given for not wearing a seatbelt, not having an infant in a suitable restraint and several other infringements. One vehicle was also seized for having no insurance.

Sergeant Grant Steele of the Roads Policing Unit said: ‘The safety of all road users is our top priority and we were pleased to enjoy such positive and friendly engagement with the motorcyclists and other motorists we engaged with at the weekend.

‘Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to being seriously injured in the event of a collision, and we are therefore committed to doing everything we can to educate them about the importance of safe riding whilst also taking action against other road users who may put them at additional risk by, for example, speeding or using a mobile device at the wheel.

‘We will continue to carry out operations of this nature to help reduce the number of collisions on our roads and keep everyone safe.’