Thursday November 27

TODAY’S road safety message was aimed at young motorcyclists in the Bolton area as they were being urged to “talk bike” as part of a major safety drive in May 1981.

The GMC’s “Talk Bike – Talk Training” campaign was launched at Bolton Technical College and aimed to encourage young riders to undergo training in preparation for a new Department of Transport test that was to be introduced in January 1982.

With the co-operation of the National Motor cycle Training Scheme instructors, “Talk Bike” sessions were arranged in schools, colleges, and even in the streets.

At the campaign launching in Bolton – attended by county councillors and road safety officials – instructors were on hand to give the first ever preview of the new test, which was to be in two parts.

Our picture shows Miss Joan Makin, chief instructor (Bolton) for the National Training Scheme pointing out the controls on a motor bike to four students from the Bolton Technical college from left centre David Allen, 16, Andrew McAteer, 17, Martin Lee, 17, also in the picture on left, from left: Mrs Valerie Rampling (instructor), Miss Janet Eveson, Mr Andrew Stillwell (instructor) and Mr Thomas Weaver (instructor).