‘BE GOOD TO BIKERS AWARD’ WON BY SAINSBURY''S!
31 August 2006 - KillSpills

KillSpills Rally, Saturday 9th September 2006

With just over a week to go to London’s largest ever motorcycle rally, organisers have announced that supermarket giant Sainsbury’s have won this year’s KillSpills / BMF Award for ‘Achievement in Reducing diesel Spills’

The award, to be presented at the rally which this year is expected to attract 3,500 riders, will be made by award sponsors Bennetts Insurance and is just part of the KillSpills Rally, a ride to Westminster staged to raise the profile of the menace that spilt diesel presents to the UK’s 1.2 million motorcycle and scooter riders.

Sainsbury’s won the award against stiff competition from other supermarkets, road hauliers and utility companies for their proactive role in tackling diesel spills. This has meant Sainsbury’s entire fleet of diesel vehicles being fitted with anti-siphon devices that help prevent diesel spillage; Sainsbury’s driver training manual instructing drivers to only fill to the first click on the filler nozzle; using KillSpills warning posters and leaflets in their depots to raise awareness; maintenance checks for any leaking seals are carried out every six to eight weeks and their driver pre-journey checks to include fuel tank cap security.

KillSpills team leader Stephen Edwards said: “It was a difficult decision because I’m pleased to say the quality of the entries proves that our message has got home and people are getting the message, but Sainsbury’s just had that little bit extra and we hope this will set and example and raise the standard further still.”

Now in its third year, the BMF sponsored KillSpills Rally, starting from the Ace Cafe, London and ending at the Houses of Parliament, last year attracted over 2,500 riders concerned that the lethal danger of spilt diesel on our roads has for too long been ignored.

Diesel spilt on our roads via over-full fuel tanks, poorly fitted filler caps or no cap at all, is a menace to those on two wheels. Difficult to see until too late, spilt diesel on road surfaces can be a lethal combination, especially when encountered on a bend or at a roundabout.

According to Department for Transport figures, between 2000 and 2004, there were 467 serious accidents with 16 people dying as a result of oil/diesel spillage and a further 2,403 accidents resulting in slight injury, but it is well known that if another vehicle is not involved and injuries are slight, an accident goes unreported, masking what is estimated to be a much bigger problem.

Concerned at the scale of the problem, biking MP Bill Wiggin tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) on diesel spills which attracted the support of over 120 MPs and a

delegation from the KillSpills Rally will call at 10 Downing Street to present Prime Minister Tony Blair with an action plan* and a third-year anniversary card signed by thousands of motorcyclists.

Also commended for their work on diesel spill prevention are the Co-op Wholesale Society for the work they have done in briefing their staff as to the dangers diesel spills represent and Spar (CJ Lang, in Scotland) for amending their driver training programme to include the dangers of diesel spills.

Diesel spillage is an important issue that has been ignored for too long say the BMF, September 9th is designed to change all that.

The run coincides with the 12th Ace Cafe Reunion Weekend so although there will be a serious message, it will also be an opportunity for riders to attend a fun day at the Ace Cafe!

Join the ride, wear the T shirt, share the day - be there if you care!

KillSpills London Rally, Saturday 9th September.

Ride assembles at 11.00hrs starts at 13.00 hrs at the Ace Cafe London,

North Circular Road.

*Full details on the action plan, the rally, ride-in points, a poster download and how to buy an official KillSpills T- shirt, can all be found on:

www.bmf.co.uk or go direct to www.killspills.org.uk

Sainsbury’s, winners of the 2006 KillSpills / BMF Award for ‘Achievement in Reducing diesel Spills’

www.killspills.org.uk

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