Bikesafe Workshop??

[MikeBs]

I have just been on the www.bikesafe.co.uk. A friend of mine intends to go on one of the courses offered (2 days for ?95). Has anyone ever been on one of these courses and found them good/bad.

I am tempted, but wonder what kind of things they cover. I expect it to be about 50% classroom based stuff and the rest out on the road with some slow speed skills included.

I would value the opinion of some of the more experienced riders who may have been on one of these workshops.

 

[Jaws]

Do NOT take sharp things with you.. Take some mogodon before you enter..

Chances are it is run by H and S rejects who will bring new meaning to the word pedentry !!

Seeeee... H and S are now the work force equivelent of The Scottish Play.. No one dare mention or type the name any more for fear of bringing bad luck upon them selves ( bad luck in the form of a visit from one of the self grandising twits ! )


Seriously, I am sure it will be a wonderful course aimed at the beginer who needs to be told how not to skin their knuckles and why it is not a good idea to play with rags and moving chains !

 

[MikeBs]

Maybe not a good idea?

Thanks JAWS,

Why do I get the feeling that this course will be instructed by people with a Phd in 'Stating the bleeding obvious', and that I will be told that I should sell the Bird, buy a CG125 and push it past any junctions incase someone is coming.

I have generally gone with the principle that most training will have something useful in it and that at some point they will tell me something I didn't know. I will probably go on the course to keep my mate company and just switch off if it gets too bad.

I will at least have had the experience of what it is like and be able to pass on the information to anybody else thinking of doing it.

 

[Smix]

BikeSafe Weekend Porogramme

The below is the programme I was sent for a course last year. I wasn't able to go then, but talking to the person organising it, it seems that the course is taken by the same people who take the BikeSafe days. ie. Bike Cops and Bike Paramedics. The kind of people that end up being first on scene when things go wrong, but are very realistic about how we are likely to ride even after the course. Didn't seem likely to have too much H&S, and given the opportunity I would go on the next course! Mainly cos I ride like an idiot (albeit one that uses risk assessment, Lumpy! !!!) and could do with learning to do it more safely!!!!! :neenaw: - they even have a bar at this one!!!

?Ride to Arrive? Motorcycle Awareness Scheme
Draft Programme- 23/24/25th September 2005
Held at Force HQ Training Centre,Valley Road, Portishead

Friday, 23rd September 2005

Between 1730 & 1900pm Arrival and Registration/room allocation

Driving Documents Check

1930pm Course Co-Ordinators

LECTURE THEATRE 1) Aim of Course

2) How course will run

3) Attitude and introduction to ?The System?

2100pm Bar Open

Saturday, 24th September 2005

0800am Breakfast

0830am ?The System?

0915am First Aid by Paramedic Motorcyclist from West Country Ambulance

1000am Coffee

1015am Observations and Overtaking

1100am Cornering

1145am Introduce Police Motorcyclists

1200 noon Lunch

1235pm On Road Riding

1700pm Conclusion

1800pm Dinner

OPTIONAL ? Slow Manoeuvring Practise

2000pm Bar Open

Sunday, 25th September 2005

0800am Breakfast

0845am On Road Riding

1300pm Lunch

1400 pm Open Forum

 

[Bob Pinder]

What are you peeps hoping to achieve by attending this course?

 

[Smix]

What are you peeps hoping to achieve by attending this course?

Not having to go to the IAM!!!!!!!! h1d1ng2 fl4g71

No really.

The BikeSafe day course was quite an eye opener in that you seemed to be riding faster, but it was so obviously safer. The guys that took us out were so down to earth. They realised that we weren't always going to stick to the limits, but showed us how to get the best observation and road position without patronising us. One also proved that his Pan was a hell of a lot quicker than my Bird through the lanes!! Scared the c**p out of me!!! But - at the end of the day I felt just that little bit more secure about where I put the bike on the road and also that my ability to see the road (you know what I mean, don't take the P) was better and yet I could still get that exhilaration you get from pushing the limits.:neenaw:

I'd do the weekend course because I haven't really ridden much since October and the reason I stopped was because I nearly didn't make it where I was going twice in one day!

Along with the obvious fact that you never know everything and why not learn from people who spend their working day riding?? (Should I just have said that on its own???):dunno:

 

[Rods]

I have just been on the www.bikesafe.co.uk. A friend of mine intends to go on one of the courses offered (2 days for ?95). Has anyone ever been on one of these courses and found them good/bad.

I am tempted, but wonder what kind of things they cover. I expect it to be about 50% classroom based stuff and the rest out on the road with some slow speed skills included.

I would value the opinion of some of the more experienced riders who may have been on one of these workshops.

throughly worthwhile, based on the course the met police run. but a word of advice if i may, for those who want an INTRODUCTION to advanced riding this is just the start. becoming an advanced rider, or even a competent motorcyclist, will not happen in a day, or even a weekend. we never stop learning.

whether you decide that you'd like to do further training with the IAM (i'm afraid this is the route I took), rospra, or another organisation, please don't think that one weekend on a bikesafe course is enough to make you an advanced rider. s04pb0x6 and why not go the full hog .... rospra gold, iam assessor etc etc

sorry for sounding patronising... we are all still learning.

 

[Jaws]

LOL !!!!


Oh dear oh dear !!!


When I read the original post I was def half asleep and far from with it ( being a bit ill AND dog tired )


What I THOUGHT the course was about was Safety in the WORKSHOP! c7u8 c7u8

I am sat here larfing out loud at this monumental cock up !!!


Ok,, Bikesafe.. fookin BRILL courses and generally well worth attending..

However,, I must add a caviat

Like IAM I really do not believe these courses are suitable for new riders.

You should have at least two years experience under your wheels before going on one..
Why ? Simple.. because sadly until you get the hard won experience you will not be able to make a full and accurate judgement as to when you should be following what you have been told and when not to.

A good friend of mine was very seriously injured because he followed what the IAM guy had told him.. He did not have the roadcraft to realise that the info was not always correct and should be viewed as advisory..

It is hard to explain, but I am pretty sure Bob knows what I mean so maybe he can explain it better ( even though he might not agree with me ! )

 

[Rods]

i think the idea with the bikesafe courses is that the theory sessions included back up what you learn on the road. this does not mean of course that it is possible to learn all the necessary theory in one morning!!

i think it is a terrible shame that most iam groups only offer practical tuition. we are fortunate indeed in the middlesex branch to have several serving and retired traffic officers in the club. i imagine that it is partly due to their involvement that we run a two night theory course prior to any observed rideouts, which also run on a course basis. hopefully this gives the associates the basic background knowledge to BUILD upon once it comes to the riding.

as jaws rightfully points out, there can be terrible consequences if advice is not clear, or if advice is not thought through before being given. for example there is no point telling somebody how to position themselves for an overtake if they have not yet learnt to read the road properly. the process of improving ones overall standard of riding takes a long time, and i think it important that anybody involved in training of any kind (not just bikes) tailors their advice to the students (for want of a better word) needs.

i try to bring it back to the 4 S's when almost any question arises. Hopefully by following the first one, you will get the experience on the road to become a better, and therefore, smoother rider, and therefore able to apply advanced riding techniques.

john, purely playing devil's advocate you understand, but how about seeing bikesafe courses as a way of making sure that new riders make it through the first two years on the road? i agree that some of the potential course content is beyond the capabilites, and understanding of an inexperienced rider and road user, but hopefully the police instructors can give suitable advice for each student, whether they have been riding 2 weeks or 20 years, and so ensuring that everyone improves from differing standards?bl4hbl4h

 

[MikeBs]

Explanation

We have booked the course and are going on it in April. I would not call myself or my mate experienced riders. We are probably novices compared to most people.

I started as a kid with a Honda Superdream and then went 20 years without a bike. Both me and a mate got back into biking about 3 years ago with Fazer 600's. He still has the Fazer and is saving for a CB1300. I've had a season with the Fazer (4,000 miles). Then bought a CBR600F and came off on some ice in December 2003 after having it a month. No injuries, but a lot of damage to the bike and then decided to be a fair weather rider.

After two seasons with the CBR6 (both about 8,000 miles) toward the end of last season decided to change to something a bit less cramped. Tried a few bikes and settled on the Blackbird.

I've done about 1,000 miles on it so far and on the road it has not disappointed. The only thing I find off-putting is at slow speed it is like an oil tanker and manhandling it in the garage is a nightmare. I've parked it on its side once and hope to never do it again.

I would like to start going on rides with groups, but want to be sure I am not a liability, and hence the reason I want some further training. I have heard that the Redditch Branch of the IAM are good and intend to join at the start of this season. I've been asked by a bunch of riders at work (Mainly Ducati's) if I fancy a trip to Barcelona in June and have said yes. I can only assume that they want someone to ride and get help when they break down. I am hoping to be at the front because I don't want to be riding in the trail of oil that they always seem to leave behind them.

I'll try and do some sort of review of the course for anyone else thinking of doing it.

 

[trousersnake01]

whether you decide that you'd like to do further training with the IAM (i'm afraid this is the route I took), rospra, or another organisation, please don't think that one weekend on a bikesafe course is enough to make you an advanced rider.

I work with the lads and lasses on the MET bikesafe, they are a great bunch, and they are very much bikers first.
They give you an introduction on how to stay safe and alive on the road. Well worth the money if your a novice.
But it really is only a start.
Do go for a IAM club. The one in Berkshire is huge, you can get a thousand bikes there sometimes. I found some of the assessors complete c*cks and so far up there own ars*s I stopped going. Howerver, I have four of my colleagues from work teach there and they put a lot of time into bringing bikers upto a good safe standard of riding.undefinedundefined

 

[Smix]

I just have to find an IAM group that doesn't make me feel like I'm about twelve!! The ones I've met all take things so seriously!!!! (and are generally so much older!!) OK, being safe is serious, but surely there has to be an element of fun in learning? :dunno: It's why I enjoyed the BikeSafe day so much - serious message without the 'head up a*s' attitude!!!! After all, we buy bikes to have fun . . . . . :neenaw:

 

[andyBeaker]

Sorry to be a bit contrary to a lot of the posts here; I did Bikesafe at the police club in Hayes near Bromley in May last year. This was run by City of London Police.

My one to one instructor was on a police Bird - yes, really!! - and he taught me so much about cornering/use of gears and observation while charging round the country lanes of Kent/Sussex at mostly legal speeds - through the villages at least!

Yes, there is a bit of classroom stuff, but it is thought provoking - especially the vivid photos in the accident analysis section - but the day was well balanced, with an excellent lunch thrown in.

They don't expect you to have legal exhausts, clear visors, etc. and they don't expect you to stick 100% to speed limits. But they do expect you to ride responsibly and safely.

I cannot remember spending ?30 and getting so much for it. Even better as it is heavily subsidised by the Congestion Charge!!

I am sure experiencies will vary but the approach of the individual instructor, but mine was absolutely ace.

Some people may just be 'anti police' and disregard Bikesafe; trust me, they enjoy their bikes as much as we do, and really do understand the realities of road riding. And if you think you are a good rider, try keeping up with one of these guys when they go for it!!

Do it.

Now!

 

[trousersnake01]

Cheers Andy, I agree with you 100%. These guys are bikers first, and they love blatting around. Any input on how to stay alive is a bonus. All the lads and lasses that have to go to Hendon driving school for there bike course will have done bike safe for a grounding in safety.

 

[Valley Boy Greg]

Mike you should enjoy this and get something out of it.
I did a weekend years ago in Cheltenham with the Gloc's police, cost ?25 which included lunch and the Roadcraft book. Practical/theory was 50/50 but when it came to the practical sessions the one Police motorcyclist running the course on his own engaged the services of IAM and RoSPA observers, but for ?25 what do you expect.
I think South Wales also engage others for the practical sessions and at last years bikesafe launch in Cheltenham due to the damand for assessed rides the plod drafted in local IAM and RoSPA again.
Gwent charge ?80 for Bikesafe weekend but only use Plod as they believe, correctly that we go on the course wanting to ride with the police motorcyclists.

So a bit of variety on how it's run mainly due to the numbers involved but that is usually reflected in how much you pay anyway.

 

[Stealth Rider]

I have just been on the www.bikesafe.co.uk. A friend of mine intends to go on one of the courses offered (2 days for ?95). Has anyone ever been on one of these courses and found them good/bad.

I am tempted, but wonder what kind of things they cover. I expect it to be about 50% classroom based stuff and the rest out on the road with some slow speed skills included.

I would value the opinion of some of the more experienced riders who may have been on one of these workshops.

Done it Mike, got the T-Shirt all done with West Mercia Sgt Roberts and his crew pm if you want more info

 

[MikeBs]

West Mercia was not available

Done it Mike, got the T-Shirt all done with West Mercia Sgt Roberts and his crew pm if you want more info

I phoned West Mercia, but at that time and due to the uncertaintly of the merger with other police forces, they didn't know whether any assessed rides were going to happen this year.

Hence I am on a two day workshop in the West Midaland (Tally Ho - Police College). I am looking forward to it. I have spoken to a few people who have been on these courses and the comments have ranged from 'OK' to 'very good'. Nobody has said they are a complete waste of time.

The course is booked for the end of May, so just got to try and get some slow speed practice in. Problem is when I get on the bike 'slow speed' just doesn't seem to get a look in!

 

[Black Knight]

Got mine booked with North Yorks for middle of May.

 

[sihob]

A bit late, but just thought I would add my experience for future readers.

I attended a Bikesafe weekend with the Warwickshire boys last April and thought it was excellent value. The cops were all enthusiastic bikers and treated us the same (not as potential perps). Theory was a bit boring if you have done any advanced driving/riding stuff before - mostly "position for vision" - but valuable if new to this. Australian road safety videos (high gore quotient) wore thin v quickly. But the riding (for about 6-7 hours over 2 days) was excellent. "Sensible" - i.e. stick to 30s & 40s and "fast as is safe" in national speed limit to demonstrate control and anticipation.

I agree with one post that it is a course best for those with some experience and confidence, but it really helped a couple of my friends who only have 2-3 years riding. Didn't help the guy much who went into the back of one of the cops near the end of Sunday though! (Just shows - using your brakes to bring on your brake lights is actually good at times, officers!)

Overall, I would recommend Bikesafe (in Warwickshire at least).

 

[wotnot]

Boing !!

w;;v
Just to add my two penneths worth.

Just done a two day Bikesafe course with Cambridgeshire Police in Peterborough.

Day one, all classroom learning the Police roadcraft system, watched a couple of vids to back up the lessons. Taught by Traffic Police and Examiners.
Really down to earth blokes who got the point across in an entertaining and informative manner. Plenty of good banter and 'taking of the urine' as well.

Day two, an assessed ride, where you follow the Police for about 10 miles on a variety of roads, then you take the lead for about 30 miles, again on a variety of roads.

Costs ?25 for the two days and that included the Police Roadcraft manual and a new Highway Code.

I've been riding a good few years and consider myself to be smooth and safe, but this was an excellent course. As was mentioned in a previous post........
you never stop learning.

Highly recommended.

Sean