Scotland has some of the best roads in Europe for motorcyclists. Within a few miles of our towns and cities, we have relatively quiet roads that unfurl across spectacular scenery with the sort of sweeping corners and open straights which make any rider's heart soar.

The news that motorcyclist deaths in Scotland have increased by 80 per cent this year is worrying so Police Scotland's announcement that they will be running courses to share tips on better riding to curb the rising number of fatalities is welcome.

Scots police used to be very involved in road safety training courses for riders. However, the respected BikeSafe courses were dropped more than a decade ago due to cuts and the number of road safety officers has been much reduced. Police bosses would do well to remember that speed cameras and dash cam footage is no replacement for traffic cops.

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Driver attitudes play a part. On the continent, where bikes are commonplace and many drivers are riders too, there is a level of awareness that is lacking here. I sit relatively high on my bike and can see into cars - a good safety tip - and have seen everything from drivers rolling joints to others watching pornography on their phones. Sometimes, I think I'm the only person concentrating on the road.

Part of the reason for Scotland's bike death rate is due to the number of riders (and other motorists) who visit from across the UK and further afield, not least those drawn in by the North Coast 500, who are caught out by our roads.

On the A9, we have a major road that swaps between dual and single carriageway as often as the Tory party swaps leaders. The narrow Loch Lomond A82 is not fit to be a major artery.

I've been riding for nearly three decades and the appalling state in recent years of most of our road surfaces, and the lack of painted road markings, is a safety risk and an embarrassment.

Our roads are a national resource - they power our economy - and it's time they were properly resourced.