A MOTORBIKE safety roadshow was being launched in North Yorkshire this weekend.

The first in a series of exhibitions to promote an initiative to cut motorcycle deaths takes was being launched in Scarborough.

Community safety experts were joining bikers to encourage them to join the "Handle it or Lose it" campaign.

The Hambleton Community Safety Partnership is spearheading the new campaign as part of the newly-formed North of England Partnership.

Experts from Yorkshire and Cumbria want to see the number of motorbike injuries and fatalities cut.

The campaign is targeting the hard-to- reach performance bike riders.

Phil Morton, steering group committee chairman and director of financial services for Hambleton District Council, said: "The campaign aims to deliver a no nonsense message to those at risk - sports bike riders who have greater ambition than ability.

"We believe with the enormous amount of backing and support generated so far, the initiative cannot fail."

Bikers are encouraged to log on to a website and register their most terrifying moments.

Once online an interactive site delivers safety and training messages and information on safety cameras and handling techniques.

The campaign was being promoted with a roadshow at the Oliver's Mount Spring National Road Race weekend. The roadshow is at Scarborough to 5pm on Saturday, and from 9am to 5pm on Sunday and Monday.

Updated: 09:27 Saturday, May 03, 2003