AMBULANCE chiefs are reminding Worcestershire motorcyclists not to put themselves at risk by riding without appropriate safety gear.

The call has been made after people were seen riding in shorts and t-shirts, and a man suffered road rash after coming off his bike in Birmingham, wearing tracksuit bottoms.

In the incident, which happened on Lee Bank Middleway in the underpass, the man was found a distance away from where he had come off the bike.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "His track suit bottoms had offered no protection and he had suffered extensive road rash which is not only painful but can also leave very nasty scarring.

"Thankfully the rider, who was in his 20s, had not suffered serious injuries.

"We know from extensive experience that those wearing good quality leathers, boots and obviously a helmet, suffer far less serious injuries.

“Whilst it may be warm to wear, in our opinion, it is simply not worth the risk to not wear safety equipment – it could ultimately save your life."