Criterion has dished up a release date for the next Burnout Paradise update, which will bring bikes into the fray.

September 18th - or this coming Thursday - is when Criterion will release the goods.

This will mark the first time we'll get to see actual people in the game as they perch atop their two-wheeled gas guzzlers. Don't expect to see the riders suffer the same mangled fate as cars in the event of a crash, however. Criterion has reportedly coded the update to have riders disappear as bikes smash into the asphalt.

If you haven't caught it previously, here's how Criterion describes the update:

"- Pick from 2 motorcycles featuring male or female characters and start on a whole new progression to earn your Bike License.
"- 38 new against-the-clock race events – Burning Ride and Midnight Ride.
"- A brand new in-game 24 hr day / night cycle that impacts traffic density and available events. (It's fully customisable – you can make it day/night/change the clock speed – it's up to you.)
"- Dynamic weather brings an all-new look to Paradise City
"- And if that's not enough, we've got 70 more Freeburn Challenges too"

If you've yet to try your hand at Burnout Paradise, SPOnG recommends that you do. You can find out more in our review.