THE widow of a motorcyclist killed in the Dales has appealed to other bikers to curb their speed.

Sarah McCarthy, whose 29-year-old husband Stuart died in a crash near Ingleton last July, added her voice to a North Yorkshire Police campaign to cut fatal biking accidents.

Mr McCarthy, of Westhoughton, near Bolton, was killed on the B6479 at New Bridge, Selside, just weeks after a similar accident claimed the life of his best friend.

Mr McCarthy’s widow, also a keen biker, said: “Stuart loved to ride his bike and he liked to ride it fast. On July 2, he came round a bend at speed and was killed instantly.

“The devastation this has caused is unbelievable. Having to tell your seven-year-old daughter that her father has died is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

“We have lost four friends in the past 12 months, all at speed on motorbikes.”

Appealing to bikers to slow down, Mrs McCarthy added: “Enjoy your bikes by all means but please, please think about the speed you are doing. Please don't take any silly risks, and before every ride out think hard about the consequences of excess speed."

On April 2 last year, Mr McCarthy’s best friend Alan England, also of Westhoughton, died instantly when he crashed his bike on the A682 near Newsholme while travelling to Devil’s Bridge at Kirkby Lonsdale.

In the past year, 15 people have died in bike crashes on North Yorkshire’s roads.

North Yorkshire Police, the fire service and the county council are now involved in the 95 Alive Road Safety Partnership - a campaign aimed at making the county’s roads safer.

Sergeant Sean Grey said: "For every fatality on our roads there is a family left behind who suffer heartbreak and devastation when their loved one doesn't come home."