Agencies including Westmorland and Furness Council, emergency services and National Highways are working together to ensure spectators and visitors heading to Barrow for Dave Day have a safe and trouble-free weekend.
Thousands of motorcyclists are expected to arrive in Barrow on 21 June at the start of two days of events to celebrate the life of Hairy Biker and proud Barrovian Dave Myers.
This year’s weekend of celebrations follows on from the first Dave Day in June 2024.
The council is warning that several routes into Barrow are likely to be very busy during the motorcycle procession on Saturday afternoon, 21 June and that a number of road closures and diversions will be in place in the town centre.
The route of the motorcycle procession will be via the A590 from the M6, turning left on to Park Road at entry into Barrow and proceeding to the town centre via Abbey Road.
Crowd barriers are being placed along the main town centre part of the motorcycle procession route and anyone wanting to watch the bikers arriving in town are being strongly urged to remain behind the barriers for their own safety and the safety of passing riders.
A council spokesperson said: “Although the council is not involved in co-ordinating or organising Dave Day events, we are working as part of a multi-agency group including emergency services and highways organisations to ensure public safety and to minimise community impact as a result of the weekend’s activities.
“The crowd barriers are being placed in areas along the route where the main crowds are expected to gather.
“To ensure everyone’s safety, please remain behind the barriers and do not step into the road or try to ‘high-five’ the passing bikers.
“There will be designated crossing points that people should use and marshalls and volunteers organised by Barrow BID will be along the barriered areas to help keep people safe.’’
Signage advising about the bike procession on 21 June is being placed on main routes into Barrow, including ‘Bike Safe’ messages along the A590, in advance of Dave Day.
With so many visitors expected, the multi-agency group is warning it is inevitable that there will be increased traffic and some disruption on local roads, particularly during the afternoon of 21 June when the bike procession arrives.
On the wider road network, there is likely to be congestion around junction 36 of the M6 motorway, with the Dave Day motorcyclists expected to arrive in Barrow mid-afternoon onwards.
A spokesperson for National Highways added: “We are advising motorists to allow more time for their journeys and to plan ahead, with thousands more bikers than usual expected on the motorway network over the weekend.
“It is anticipated the M6 will be particularly busy, especially at Knutsford Services, where motorcyclists travelling from the south will gather before completing their journeys north.
“We urge road users to take extra care with motorcyclists travelling in convoy. Safety advice can be found on our website under our TRIP and BikerTek campaigns.”
Extra patrols of National Highways traffic officers will be stationed at key locations.