Bikesafe

[kenloen]

Back to Bike Safe! Well worth it, done it with the met quite a few years ago, realistic approach to speeding, cameras other vehicles, wise info that washed over and was remembered.. Recommended!

[SVS]

+1 for BikeSafe

LiquidGnome said:

You're right that they are a cheap means of extra training...I'd like to do a few days with Rapid Training or similar but they are rather expensive.

Rapid Training are utterly brilliant and worth every penny (Though it's worth doing BikeSafe first, because it means you can then cover more advanced skills with Rapid.)

I can't praise Rapid Training enough: superb skills development and superb fun!

[evil len]

We did a day with them last year, was good fun for the day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZuufemzeoU

[Hooli]

We did the South Yorks one a couple of years ago. Utter waste of time, it covered nothing the basic test didn't. Anyone who learns from the level of teaching South Yorks do must have been a huge liability before hand.

[Nigel Worc's]

jcelee said:

Not wishing to dilute this, bikesafe is IMHO great and a good gateway to further training for many.

I have attended a single IAM meeting in the past and was a little surprised by the mantra to to get the highest standard of pass you could not miss a single overtake while "making progress." While I ride a sports bike and very much appreciate the opportunity to learn how to ride more smoothly and more safely, I don't subscribe to this idea that I need to hair about everywhere, not missing a single overtake!

Maybe I should embrace old age and buy a retro or cruiser

I would hope (but somehow doubt) that the IAM are actually learning something from their own insurance scheme.

On the bike side of things, insurance is dearer if you quote your advanced qual, rather than just using the scheme because you can (you have the car qual for example).

Their fascination with making maximum progress at all times actually takes a lot of people out of their comfort zone, so it would seem they fall off and claim !

I for one ride purely for pleasure, I wish to bimble not hoon about.

[Ki3r]

I did it in Dorset two years ago. I loved it.

Plus £20 for a day and a bit training, can't complain!

[Super Slo Mo]

We don't have Bikesafe in Staffordshire, but instead the County Council runs a similar course they call BikeSense. I'm doing it next week, can report back if anyone's interested.

Doing it on a borrowed bike as I need to get around to buying my own bike one of these days.

[Lytham Stag]

I'm booked in for Bikesafe in Lancashire this weekend (19th July) and looking forward to it based on the the almost universal positive feedback I've heard. I'll let you know how it goes and what I thought about it.

[zzrman]

SVS said:

Rapid Training are utterly brilliant and worth every penny (Though it's worth doing BikeSafe first, because it means you can then cover more advanced skills with Rapid.)

I can't praise Rapid Training enough: superb skills development and superb fun!

Someone else has said that Rapid are expensive. Compared to Bikesafe they are but bear in mind that in some areas Bikesafe has been handed out to those who have had a ½ day course with the Police trainers - for example Sussex where it 's been handed over to Firefighters with maybe ½ day Police experience. With Raid you get a top notch Police Class 1 rider with loads of experience and you do a lot of miles with valuable input. I wouldn't say Bikesafe are a waste of time and money but remember that you tend to get what you pay for and I'm prepared to pay £160 for a day with an expert, and have been prepared to do so once a year for a few years now. Top quality insights into small things that could really make a difference.

[bogie]

Some of the guys I know in the local RoSPA group also do independent daily advanced training and day rates are £140 even in the cheap North. After a 2 year imposed break from driving/riding, I booked a day out for a refresher and that was when the instructor pointed out to me how good VFM the RoSPA training was

If you join RoSPA, pay your yearly fee £25 , training is virtually free, just petrol/coffee for the instructor for as many sessions as you need before your assessment...thats it really

Naturally, how much you enjoy the rides out is up to you and your instructor

[martine]

Crossflow Kid said:

Wouldn't go near IAM. The stereotypes are 100% accurate and they have about as much flex as an Argos travel kettle.
"You're not an IAM riding god, therefore you are wrong. The more you try to explain your thought process or actions, the more wrong you'll be" sums it up nicely.

Nice generalisation Crossflow! Bearing in mind the IAM and ROSPA are run by volunteers and the IAM has over 90,000 members, is it surprising some are not great at getting the message across?

Both riding and driving in the IAM and ROSPA are based heavily on the police system and Roadcraft - there are lots of great people in the IAM and some superb local groups...don't tar us all from your bad experience.

[moanthebairns]

martine said:

Crossflow Kid said:

Wouldn't go near IAM. The stereotypes are 100% accurate and they have about as much flex as an Argos travel kettle.
"You're not an IAM riding god, therefore you are wrong. The more you try to explain your thought process or actions, the more wrong you'll be" sums it up nicely.

Nice generalisation Crossflow! Bearing in mind the IAM and ROSPA are run by volunteers and the IAM has over 90,000 members, is it surprising some are not great at getting the message across?

Both riding and driving in the IAM and ROSPA are based heavily on the police system and Roadcraft - there are lots of great people in the IAM and some superb local groups...don't tar us all from your bad experience.

The iam is great for Das newbies.

For anyone with half a fking brain of how to ride on the road it's a useless box ticking exercise.

I've tried it. It was gash. The test Is about as hard as the sudoku in the sun.