Mac Walker Building – police-led motorcycle safety initiative opens new National Police BikeSafe HQ

Police BikeSafe — PR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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22nd February 2023

Mac Walker Building – police-led motorcycle safety initiative moves into dedicated national headquarters

BikeSafe is a police-led motorcycle safety initiative dedicated to saving the lives of motorcycle riders on the UK’s roads.

[Bromsgrove, UK. 22 February 2023]—Charged with targeting motorcycle fatalities and in support of 37 police forces – motorcycle safety initiative BikeSafe has moved into a dedicated national headquarters in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.

Involving 39 UK Police Forces, motorcycle safety organisation BikeSafe have officially opened the Mac Walker Building in Bromsgrove as their national administration centre. This marks twenty years of successful BikeSafe delivery, plus commemorates PC Mac Walker, Police Motorcyclist, West Midlands Police – who lost his life in the line of duty on the 4th of October 2001.

The inspiration for the opening and naming of this building was West Midlands Police Motorcyclist, PC Malcolm (Mac) Walker from Burntwood, Staffordshire. The married father of four was tragically rammed off the road while pursuing a stolen car in 2001.

The Mac Walker Building is the culmination of more than 20 years of work in the field of motorcycle skills training. Led and run by police motorcyclists, BikeSafe has already given more than 100,000 motorcycle riders the benefits of a detailed BikeSafe ‘skills check-up’ — unquestionably saving countless lives in the process.

Underpinned by a philosophy of ‘Be Skillful, Be Safe, Be Seen’, BikeSafe is now poised to help even more of motorcyclists to improve their road skills, to be safer on two wheels and to enjoy the numerous benefits that motorcycles offer.

The fact that BikeSafe has likely saved hundreds of lives is a fitting tribute to the police motorcyclist whose untimely death occurred around the time that BikeSafe began delivering its crucial workshops, and now the National Police BikeSafe Administration Centre honours Mac’s ultimate sacrifice.

During the years since Mac’s death, his wife Helen Walker has devoted time to the charity, Care of Police Survivors (COPS). This vital organisation supports the families of police officers and staff who lost their lives while protecting the public.

Mrs. Walker was honoured to be in attendance on the day. She said: “It’s an absolute honour to have Mac’s name associated with such a fantastic road safety campaign. And I know full well if he was here today, he would be the first one to sign up and be part of BikeSafe.”

Chief Constable of West Mercia Police, Pippa Mills had the honour of opening The Mac Walker Building, and she captured the sentiment of the occasion beautifully. She said: “At the time of his death, Mac had served for 21 years in West Midlands Police, much of this within the motorcycle team.

“He was a friend to many, both in West Midlands and in the wider motorcycling community. And he was a very proud and loving husband and father who enjoyed caravanning, motorcycling in his own time and spending time with his family.

“It feels really poignant that Malcolm is remembered as a brave police officer, and commemorated in the opening of this National BikeSafe Administration Centre, that now proudly bears his name and a memory of the sacrifice that he made.”

Also key to the opening of the National Police BikeSafe Administration Centre was Chief Constable Nick Adderley of Northamptonshire Police Force, who also serves as the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for BikeSafe. He said: “This is not just a building, it’s about what it represents.

“It marks 20 years since BikeSafe came into existence. And through the work of the brilliant police motorcyclists and volunteers, we have helped to save many, many lives and improve the skills of those motorcyclists.

“We bridge that gap between passing a test and then moving up into a more advanced level and further training. None of this, of course, would be possible without the great work of all the volunteers and police motorcyclists.”

The guestlist at this auspicious occasion told its own story regarding the value and importance afforded BikeSafe by most UK Police Forces. In attendance were representatives from 20 Police Forces, along with representation from RoSPA, IAM RoadSmart, BMF, National Highways and the DVSA Enhanced Rider Scheme.

But despite such an illustrious gathering, the most poignant moment came when Mac Walker’s widow Helen thanked the police for their tireless efforts in the area of motorcycle safety. Also in attendance was Mac’s son Sean Walker, now a Special Constable with West Midlands Police.

It’s only right that Mac Walker, BikeSafe and the incredibly committed police motorcyclists who lead the initiative were honoured with such an uplifting ceremony. After 20 years of skills training delivery, BikeSafe has undoubtedly spared many families the heartache of losing a loved one on the roads.

The BikeSafe programme is continually evolving based on feedback from police motorcyclists and attendees. With motorcycle related killed and seriously injured statistics still disproportionately high, more Police Forces are joining BikeSafe to play an active role in ensuring higher standards of motorcycle safety.

BikeSafe is now accepting bookings for its 2023 motorcycle skills and safety workshops with all participating UK police forces.