BIKERS came from all over Scotland on Saturday to mark the anniversary of the death of Renton’s Liam Coyle, who lost his life in a motorbike accident a year ago this week.

Family and friends were joined by 14 bikers, who rode from Liam’s house in Hillfoot, to the Rest and be Thankful, his favourite bike ride.

They were led off by Liam’s 10-year-old nephew Shaun, and followed on behind by the bikers and a further seven cars carrying other family members and friends.

It took them just over an hour, and included a stop at a Sláinte restaurant on the way for cakes and tea.

On March 12, 2017, 24-year-old Liam Coyle was killed after losing control of his bike on the A813 near the Aggreko plant, near Lomondgate Roundabout.

Liam was on his way to the MCN Scottish Motorcycle Show at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, with his friends when he crashed into a streetlight.

It lead to a massive outpouring of grief and tributes followed from family, friends and the community, many from Liam’s beloved biking fraternity.

His sister-in-law Lizzie Coyle, who organised the event on Saturday, said: “We were all so proud of young Shaun, as he has taken Liam’s death so badly.

“The weather on the day wasn’t great, but there was no stopping us. It was a pretty tough for the whole family, but we knew it was something we had to do for Liam.”

Among the followers on the memorial trip, was the paramedic who tended to Liam at the time of the tragic accident.

Lizzie told the Reporter: “The Rest and Be Thankful was his favourite bike ride. He was always up there. We left flowers at the spot Liam was killed, and then on Monday his dad John, mum Michelle, his brother Shaun and myself returned to the Rest and Be Thankful to scatter his ashes.”

On the Saturday night, after they returned from the memorial trip, the family were joined by friends and members of the local community at St Martin’s Hall in Renton for a “one off” private party to celebrate Liam’s short life.

Lizzie added: “Michelle and John arranged a lot of photographs of Liam, including some of him on a unicycle when he was younger. They both made a very heartwarming speech, thanking everyone for coming and their continued support.”

The organisation of the bike ride on Saturday followed on from a similar bike ride the family organised last August, to mark what would have been the tragic biker’s 25th birthday.

Lizzie added: “We hope to make this an annual event, although the party in the evening was just a one off.”

Also on Saturday, as the bike ride was taking place, Liam’s close friend, Rachel Kydd, 30, from Alexandria, did a sky-dive for the Children’s Hospital at Yorkhill.

The amount of money raised has still to be counted and verified.