A day to get back on track. This May 4 and 25, the Gironde gendarmerie, in partnership with the road safety office of the prefecture, is organizing two new “Take back the handlebar” operations. Whether for young drivers or more experienced motorcyclists, the objective is to review the basics before the arrival of good weather, bridges and holidays, a period when the roads are increasingly busy. Last August alone, 14 people died on the department’s roads.
“It allows us to correct the defects”
Around fifteen bikers gathered at the start of Parempuyre. After a short theoretical briefing supervised by the gendarmes, they turn on the engines and head towards the Médoc to get down to practice. Arriving at Lamarque, the pilots then leave on a 5km road, escorted by two gendarmerie bikers : one in front, one behind: “We have identified a place on the route where we make each participant pass in front of the gendarmerie motorcyclist. This allows us to correct defects if there are any.” explains Commander Tourscher.
On this road, the gendarmes will carefully observe the way in which the participants approach the turns. Then, a debrief is done with them.
Hugo Deschamps
“Keep moving forward”
Among the participants, Zoé is one of the young permits. She’s had it for two years. For her, this training is important, because on a motorcycle, you have to continue to progress: “I have already come to see if what I was doing with the motorbike was good, but also to get advice from the police on my way of driving, my trajectories. It allows me to continue to progress.”
And also, regain confidence for some. Donatien, who arrived from Entre-deux-Mers, had an accident two years ago. Fractured clavicle, ten ribs and one shoulder blade broken: “When we have a motorcycle accident, we inevitably dread getting back on, so it really helps to have road professionals to accompany us. Every biker should do this“.
Hugo Deschamps
#French
