The new weapon in the frontline of delivering road safety messages in Cheshire is a mini firebike.

This new addition to the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service fleet has been fully liveried, free of charge, by James Gregory of Ultra Wrap in Northwich to look just like the full size firebike and was donated by CFRS volunteers Garry and Hazel Evans.

Garry and Hazel had seen a mini moto owned by Blood Bikes, the voluntary motorcycle courier service that helps transport urgent blood to hospitals, at an event at Oulton Park and felt something similar would greatly benefit the service’s road safety team.

Road safety manager Colin Heyes said: “Our full size firebike is always a great draw at road safety events and station open days but we’re mindful that our younger visitors are not able to experience what it feels like to sit astride a motorbike.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service firebike next to the new mini moto
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service firebike next to the new mini moto

“The new mini firebike means that little ones don’t have to ride pillion on photographs but can be pictured on a liveried bike more suited to their size. More importantly, it means we can reach an even younger audience with serious road safety messages.

“On behalf of the service I would like to thank Garry and Hazel Evans for giving us the mini moto and James Gregory for the excellent makeover he has done at his own expense. Apart from the size, it’s hard to tell which is the ‘official’ firebike!”

The mini firebike can be seen alongside its full-size stablemate at fire station open days and Biker Down events throughout 2016 – dates will be published on social media and at www.cheshirefire.gov.uk shortly – and at other road safety events attended by the team throughout the year.