TyreSafe’s PACT campaign has been given a huge boost thanks to the backing of British Superbike Championship rider Chris Walker.
Although Chris is in his final preparations for the opening round of this year’s campaign which takes place at Brands Hatch from 6th to 9th April, he’s still found time to help raise the vitally important issue of motorbike tyre safety.
TyreSafe’s PACT campaign stands for – Performance, Air, Condition and Tread. By making a PACT with their tyres and ensuring they check their tyre’s air pressure, overall condition and tread depth then riders will be rewarded with better performance including improved handling, grip and fuel economy.
Chris, who has 20 BSB and one World Superbike win under his belt, said: “As someone who relies on their tyres to provide maximum performance and keep me safe, I know only too well how important it is that they are properly maintained.
“TyreSafe’s PACT campaign gets the message across that while safety is vitally important, there are also many other benefits to looking after your tyres, including longer tyre life, improved fuel economy, but also better performance and more riding enjoyment.”
And the message couldn’t be timelier as spring often sees many riders embarking on their first ride of the year having left their bikes in storage over winter. Prolonged periods without use can adversely affect rider safety as tyre pressures can drop which can result in poor handling. Also if tyres were not properly protected during the winter months, they can also suffer from cracking and other safety-compromising damage.
Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe. “It’s great that Chris has taken time out from his busy schedule to get behind our PACT campaign. Having such a high profile rider gives our advice extra weight and credibility.
“Of course, as a professional competition rider, Chris is fully aware of how important tyres are to a bike’s safety, while also playing a major part in how it performs. However, it’s not just on the race track that this matters, it’s just as important in everyday riding to stay safe while getting the maximum enjoyment.”
TyreSafe advises riders to seek professional advice when checking their tyres but for those doing so themselves then it reiterates that particular attention should be paid to ensure that there are no cuts, cracks or bulges, and riders must ensure there is adequate tread depth to meet legal requirements. Motorcyclists should also ensure tyres are inflated to the correct pressures.
For safe spring riding, follow TyreSafe’s PACT advice:
P– Performance, including grip, handling and fuel economy will all be improved with correct tyre care.
A – Air Pressure is essential for maximum performance. Pressures should be checked at least once a week using an accurate pressure gauge.
C – Condition is critical to road safety. Inspect tyres for any cuts, bulges, uneven wear or objects embedded in the tread.
T – Tread depth is essential for safety on wet roads. Check that your tread depth is not below the legal minimum of 1mm (for bikes over 50cc).
