Bikesafe course

[G321]

It's now been a year since I passed my test and I have managed around 2000 miles of weekend/evening rides, I thought it might be a good idea to get some training to iron out any habits that may have developed since.
Has anyone done one of these police organised courses? For £65 for a full day with police bikers I assume I will get some kind of benefit to take away

[black-k1]

Any and every piece of advanced riding tuition/observation you can get is worth it. Listen to what they say, understand why they're saying it and practice what you've learned. £65 for an expert review of your riding seems like a good deal to me.

[snagzie]

black-k1 said:

Any and every piece of advanced riding tuition/observation you can get is worth it. Listen to what they say, understand why they're saying it and practice what you've learned. £65 for an expert review of your riding seems like a good deal to me.

The "expert" that monitored my ride made comments on my riding that was the opposite of what the coppers said (wasn't enough coppers to do everyone so ROSPA/IAM people did them too).

That being said, the classroom stuff (led by the coppers) was good, but the whole experience I had was underwhelming.

[A993LAD]

Just checked this out. the nearest one to me is fully booked for the rest of this year so obviously pretty popular.

[G321]

snagzie said:

black-k1 said:

Any and every piece of advanced riding tuition/observation you can get is worth it. Listen to what they say, understand why they're saying it and practice what you've learned. £65 for an expert review of your riding seems like a good deal to me.

The "expert" that monitored my ride made comments on my riding that was the opposite of what the coppers said (wasn't enough coppers to do everyone so ROSPA/IAM people did them too).

That being said, the classroom stuff (led by the coppers) was good, but the whole experience I had was underwhelming.

That's interesting. I'm going to go into it with an open mind and I'm sure I will pick up some useful tips. If I enjoy it, I will look into further training

[G321]

A993LAD said:

Just checked this out. the nearest one to me is fully booked for the rest of this year so obviously pretty popular.

From what I've seen, they usually are fully booked but browsing last night there were 2 slots at courses very close to me. I chose the one in a more rural location on roads I usually ride

[black-k1]

snagzie said:

black-k1 said:

Any and every piece of advanced riding tuition/observation you can get is worth it. Listen to what they say, understand why they're saying it and practice what you've learned. £65 for an expert review of your riding seems like a good deal to me.

The "expert" that monitored my ride made comments on my riding that was the opposite of what the coppers said (wasn't enough coppers to do everyone so ROSPA/IAM people did them too).

That being said, the classroom stuff (led by the coppers) was good, but the whole experience I had was underwhelming.

I've done a number of different advanced riding courses and there are differences in both approach and interpretation from person to person, from location to location and from organisation to organisation. The key us to understand why they are saying what they are saying and ensure you consider that understanding in your own decision making. As no two circumstances are ever the same, there is no right answer anyone can give you before the event, only a framework to use to help you deal with the circumstance correctly.

[jock mcsporran]

I’ve done one years ago up at Thirsk. It was a decent day out.
The road riding was pretty quick and just told to ride how you normally would initially. We then stopped for some feedback and went for another ride. Lots of chat about positioning, making safe progress, general roadcraft, etc.
I doubt it’ll save you anything on your insurance but worth it otherwise.

[Twolane]

I did two pre COVID, based at Rockingham circuit (RIP) got 1 hr in a group of two on the road with the Police then 15 mins open session around the national circuit. Advice the cop gave me still rings in my head when I’m out now. Only cost £30.

[Krikkit]

snagzie said:

black-k1 said:

Any and every piece of advanced riding tuition/observation you can get is worth it. Listen to what they say, understand why they're saying it and practice what you've learned. £65 for an expert review of your riding seems like a good deal to me.

The "expert" that monitored my ride made comments on my riding that was the opposite of what the coppers said (wasn't enough coppers to do everyone so ROSPA/IAM people did them too).

That being said, the classroom stuff (led by the coppers) was good, but the whole experience I had was underwhelming.

Same here - my observed ride was a farce. As with yours he was ignoring the advice we'd just been shown in the classroom, he was also busy doing things he'd specifically warned us not to in the pre-briefing (speed, silly overtakes, leaving zero room).

I don't regret doing it as the classroom section was very useful, but I wouldn't do another.

[iidentifyaswoke]

I did Bikesafe around 14 years ago.

It is a one day course, so there is only so much which can be covered. My observer was a police sergeant. I found it very good, within the context of it only being one day.

I went on to do the RoSPA test, which is a similar idea, but happens over a lot longer period and covers a lot more. Taking RoSPA or IAM is considered one of a positive outcomes of the course by the police - which I found out as I bumped into & recognised my police observer a few years later and he told me about it. He asked me to write in to say I'd done RoSPA.

Doing Bikesafe is a no brainer, provided you can find a course as I've heard the number of courses has been cut along with the reduction in police resources. It doesn't take too long and doesn't cost too much. What's not to like?

[G321]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I've just been looking at these. I think I will complete the bikesafe course and then book one of these IAM courses afterwards.
for the last year I have been riding on my own but I know a guy near me who is involved with IAM and will see if he will go out and give me some pointers.

[sooty61]

I found the Bikesafe course really useful and well worth doing. I had only been riding a year when I did one and am thinking about doing another. I then went to IAM and found it a complete waste of time. I got virtually zero feedback despite being out for four hours. I was with an observer and a woman on a CBR600 who could not even turn off a main road without using her feet, nor could she keep up in a 30 limit. I haven’t been back since but may try again as I have moved to a different area.

[hiccy18]

Different groups operate in slightly different manners, although the materials delivered and framework used, whether it's IAM, ROSPA or Bikesafe are (should be!) all the same. I had a very positive with our local group, to the point that I've kept involved.

[MDUBZ]

If you just want to do some theory the Met do some online bikesafe courses and they're free. Did one in June, there are worse ways to spend a couple of hours.

https://www.takeabyte.co.uk/InContact/public/gatew...

[Salted_Peanut]

My BikeSafe day was excellent and enjoyable. Mine was taught by professional police motorcyclists, not amateur IAM observers.

Regarding advanced courses, I found professional instructors (e.g. Rapid Training and Survival Skills) considerably better than amateur IAM/RoSPA observers. I highly recommend:

• Rapid Training
• Survival Skills

I'd invest my time and money in Rapid Training or Survival Skills, not the IAM/RoSPA. The skills improvement and enjoyment from training with Rapid Training or Survival Skills are far higher than the IAM and RoSPA’s variable instructional quality.

If you want an advanced qualification (e.g. for insurance), I recommend the BMF Blue Riband over the IAM/RoSPA. The BMF Blue Riband course is taught by professional instructors.

Edited by Salted_Peanut on Monday 12th August 17:13

[dibblecorse]

On the whole it is excellent for very little relative cost, if they have slots and you can do it, I would 100% recommend it.

[airsafari87]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Watertight.

Were the 2 cops dressed like the cop on the right?

[snagzie]

Ive got that tune in my head now

[Harris_I]

I went to the London Motorcycle Show at the Excel and spoke to the police on the BikeSafe stand and the IAM RoadSmart guys. Concluded that RoadSmart seemed a bit hit and miss - it all depended who you got as your observer. Also the gentleman on the stand was incredibly dull, bless him. Falling asleep on a bike is probably a bad thing. Whereas BikeSafe is taught by active police bikers and they seemed a pretty cool bunch. Yeah, I know, not a very scientific approach, but there you go.

I went with a buddy, one cop takes two students. Classroom session was useful but nothing unexpected. Our instructor asked us what we wanted to achieve from the day, so he could tailor it accordingly. For me, it was focus on forward planning/observation and improving my road positioning for faster, safer cornering. They are pretty relaxed about speed as long as you are appropriate to the conditions.

£65 for a half day session plus a couple of hours online prep work is an absolute no brainer.