A SENIOR paramedic has urged motorcyclists to stay safe on the county's roads this summer after a spate of accidents.

At least four bikers were taken to hospital with serious injuries following collisions in North Yorkshire over the weekend.

A 40-year-old man suffered suspected back and neck injuries after his bike was in collision with a car on the B6255, five miles south of Hawes, on Sunday afternoon.

Another rider was airlifted to hospital by air ambulance after suffering shoulder, rib and arm injuries on the same road two hours earlier.

A third man was taken to Scarborough General Hospital after falling off his bike in the Main Street, Stainton, on the North York Moors, at about 2pm on Sunday.

Police believe he had been travelling at high speed.

A fourth was taken to York Hospital with head injuries after falling off his bike at Elvington Airfield, near York, on Sunday afternoon.

Last night, Mike Shanahan, assistant director of patient services for Tees East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service, urged bikers to ride safely this summer.

"There's some beautiful countryside in North Yorkshire and some great roads to ride on," he said.

"But I would ask motorcyclists to be mindful they have a family at home hoping they get back safe and well."

The paramedic, who is also a keen bike rider, said motorbike accidents continually stretched the county's ambulance service.

"Incidents involving motorbikes cause us huge difficulties," he said.

"We never know how ill a person is until we get there.

"If there is the chance of life-threatening injuries, the call requires a response time of eight minutes.

"That is an extremely challenging target, even for the air ambulance, in some of our rural areas."

As well as calling on bikers to ride carefully, Mr Shanahan urged other road users to watch out for motorcyclists.

Last month, North Yorkshire Police and the county council launched a campaign to cut the number of motorcyclists dying and being seriously injured on the county's roads, after 17 riders and pillion passengers died last year.

Measures include extra patrols, action days and a co-ordinated safety and enforcement campaign.