Bob Brown, one-time head of Durham Police’s motorcycle section, gets Motor Cycle News (MCN) prize

A FORMER police sergeant has won a Biking Hero award.

Bob Brown, who was for many years head of Durham Police’s motorcycle section, picked up the prize at the Motor Cycle News (MCN) magazine awards, held in London.

Mr Brown, 53, helped establish the force’s successful annual Bikewise show, which promotes safe riding and security, in 1995.

Since he retired from the police in 2007, he has been running the Bikewise training scheme and a bike club for youngsters.

He said: “I was overwhelmed. It is fantastic.

It is a great honour in the motorcycle world.

“We started Bikewise to break down barriers between police and bikers and to show the public that bikers are normal too.”

He thanked everyone who had helped with Bikewise.

Magazine editor Marc Potter said: “Bob was instrumental in setting up the phenomenally successful Durham Bikewise motorcycle event, which attracts thousands of riders every summer.

“He spent many years serving as a police motorcyclist in Britain’s most bike-friendly police force, teaching better and safer riding, and now helps young kids get a taste of motorcycling legally in Durham with a mini-moto experience.”