DORSET’S top traffic cop has called for care on the roads following a spate of horror crashes which has left two motorcyclists dead and another fighting for his life.

Chief Inspector Bob Nichols said bikes behave differently to other vehicles and all road users should be alert and aware when out and about.

Bike enthusiasts say it has been a “really bad week” and are supporting a campaign to ensure bike safety questions are included in the driving theory test.

Devoted father-of-two David Bartholomew died in hospital from multiple injuries after his motorcycle was in collision with a car on the A31 on Tuesday morning.

The 54-year-old was riding his Honda CBF 1000 motorcycle from Canford Bottom roundabout towards Ferndown when it was in collision with a silver Peugeot 206 which came from Uddens Drive.

Mr Bartholomew was a member of Wareham-based Dorset Motorcycle Club.

On Wednesday afternoon internationally renowned Southampton spinal surgeon Nick Boeree, a married father-of-three from Lymington, suffered fatal injuries after his Yamaha FJR motorcycle was involved in a head-on collision with a lorry in the New Forest.

The accident happened at 2.10pm on a sharp bend on the A337 Brockenhurst to Lymington road.

The same afternoon a 48-year-old motorcyclist from Poole suffered life threatening injuries after a collision with a car on the A350 at Blandford St Mary.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said yesterday that the injured man had been transferred to Southampton General Hospital for further treatment.

CI Nichols said: “My message to people is Think Bike. They are not as conspicuous as other vehicles and they do behave slightly differently. All road users have got to be really aware of that.”

He said bikers can attend a Bike Safe practical and theory course, run by Dorset Police and Dorset County Council.

Speaking about this week, Bobbi White, secretary of Dorset Motorcycle Club, said: “I don’t know the circumstances about any of the collisions but it has certainly been a really bad week.

“Hearing about David was just such a shock for us all. Most of the people in our club are experienced motorcyclists and in the 16 years or so I have been at the club, I don’t know we have ever had anybody die on the road.”

She said many bikers have supported an e-petition which calls on the Government to include bike safety questions in the driving theory test.

Tributes to 'kindest man to have walked the earth'

TRIBUTES were yesterday paid to David Bartholomew, left, from his devastated daughter and partner.

Daughter Charli Bartholomew thanked people for the love and support shown to the family.

She said: “My father was the kindest man to ever walk this earth and would be so saddened to see the destruction that has been left behind.

“Every person he met along his path, he loved and cherished. It is now time to grieve, celebrate his life and aspire to be even half the man that he was.”

Partner and fellow bike enthusiast, Lindsey Witcombe said: “I have lost my much adored irreplaceable partner, while his children have lost their beloved and wonderful father.”

She called on people to stop speculating about the circumstances of the accident.

“May I please respectfully ask that the unhelpful and painful speculation surrounding this desperately sad accident cease and we all wait for the official police investigation to be concluded.”