Motorists are being urged to take care around mopeds after an increase in accidents from bikers using small engine bikes.

Brighton and Hove City Council road safety officers are urging the city’s drivers to take longer to look for motorbikes in a new campaign.

Council officials say that motorcycle injuries last year dropped from 109 in 2012 to 68 with no fatalities but incidents are on the increase this year with bikers on vehicles less than 500 cc.

Councillor Ian Davey, lead councillor for transport, backed the new campaign as well as hailing the role of 20 mph and new rules allowing bikers in bus lanes in contributing to 2013’s fall in accidents.

The campaign is also asking riders to think about their visibility, to wear protective gear and to check their brakes and tyres at the start of winter.