THE nights are getting lighter, the days a little warmer. Soon the beautiful countryside of North Yorkshire will echo to that evocative sound of spring: the roar of high-powered motorbikes.

Last year, a record number of bikers lost their lives on our county's roads. Today the police launched an awareness campaign to try to reduce the toll in 2004.

As motorcyclists climb into the saddle for the first time this year, we hope they take notice.

Traffic constable Dave Burlingham is right to say cutting the carnage is a team effort. All road users must be alert to the dangers.

But for bikers themselves, today brings a particularly sobering thought. Twenty-eight motorcyclists who set off with them a year ago are no longer here. Please ride carefully.

Updated: 10:03 Tuesday, March 23, 2004