Sunnier weather brings out the bikers but police are warning motorcyclists to take care because the approach of the summer season can mean more fatalities on the county’s roads.

This Sunday Cheshire Police is launching Operation Caesar – aimed at reducing motorcycle-related collisions and especially the number serious and fatal incidents.

Motorcyclists account for approximately 1% of all road users, yet last year they accounted for nearly a quarter of those killed on Cheshire’s roads. Out of 33 deaths on Cheshire roads in 2014, eight involved motorcyclist.

Sergeant Rick Weaver from the Cheshire Police Roads Policing Unit said: “Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable of road users and the number of fatal collisions highlights this fact. Operation Caesar is not about alienating the motorcycling community − it is about education and enforcement.

“As part of this operation officers will be stopping and engaging with motorcyclists who commit moving traffic offences such as speeding and dangerous riding as well as anti-social offences such as excessive noise.

“In addition to motorcyclist officers will also target other road users who endanger the lives of themselves and others. As the summer season approaches the number of motorcyclist will increase, so we are keen to remind other road users to be more vigilant and look out for motorcyclists when driving.”

Operation Caesar will involve the use of both marked and covert police cars and bikes to target roads across the county, with a specific emphasis on routes popular with bikers such as the A49, A556, A534 and the A41.

The operation is in partnership with North Wales Police, who have also have also seen an increase in the number of serious and fatal collisions involving motorcyclists.

Sergeant Weaver added: “Whilst the vast majority of motorcyclists ride appropriately, some riders choose to use the roads as a racetrack, committing serious breaches of road safety legislation, such as speeding and riding dangerously thereby putting themselves and other road users at risk of death or life changing injury.”

“We are urging all motorcyclists to take extra care while out on the roads and to take responsibility for their own safety.”