A MOTORCYCLIST killed in a crash on a main road between Bradford and Leeds has been named by police.

Steven King, of Morley, was riding a yellow Honda CBR 600 along the A650 in Drighlington when he was in collision with a grey Fiat Punto at the junction with Fieldhead Lane.

The 64-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident which happened just before 7am today.

The driver of the Fiat Punto, a 51-year-old woman who was not injured, was spoken to by officers and enquiries into the incident are continuing.

Sergeant Carole Greaves, of the Major Collision Enquiry Team, said: “We believe that Mr King had travelled from Morley along the A650 to Drighlington and the car had come from the Fieldhead Estate at Birstall.”

The bypass was closed in both directions between the A58 Whitehall Road and the A650 Wakefield Road, between the roundabouts, as police carried out investigations. It was reopened at about 11.30am.

One man near the scene said: "It is absolutely terrible. But it is a fast road - a couple of seconds lapse of concentration and something like this can happen.

"It is straight and vehicles can go quite fast."

Another said: "It is a dreadful situation. I really feel for the man's family."

Councillor Thomas Leadley (Morley Borough Independents, Morley North) said: "It is a sad event. There have been a few deaths on Drighlington bypass over the years, but not many. I do not think it is a particularly dangerous road.

"It is a dual carriageway and there is countryside either side, so people almost treat it as if it is a motorway."

Reader Saffy Saffron commented on the story on the Telegraph & Argus’ Facebook page.

“The two stretches between Westgate Hill and Drighlington bypass are two very fast and open roads,” she said.

“I travel on them daily and to see how some motorists abuse the open roads, overtaking when they are not supposed to, getting too close when distances should be kept, is scary.

"My thoughts are with the deceased and his family, sadly like many road traffic collisions on this stretch this is going down as another number unless something is done about it.

"Cut the speed limit, put up cameras, something needs to be done and soon."

Anyone who witnessed the crash, or the car or motorbike prior to it, is asked to call the West Yorkshire Police major collision enquiry team on 101.