With the anticipation of warmer weather ahead, many motorbike enthusiasts are dusting off their leathers and their machines to get ready for the upcoming riding season.
However, your motorbike and riding gear might not be the only things that need fine tuning. If it has been a while since your last bit of decent training, you might want to consider testing your skills through a rider training course.
It will provide more than just a refresher to what you already know; the chances are that it will improve both your ability and confidence on the road too.
Motorcyclists come off worse:
It isn’t exactly a startling revelation that riders come off worse in road accidents. According to Transport for London (TfL), 27 motorcyclists were tragically killed in 2014 and there are 9 fatalities already in 2015.
While many are quick to point the finger at other road users for accidents concerning motorbikes and scooters, the facts as reported by TfL suggest that poor judgment on the part of the riders themselves is also to blame. According to TfL, a high proportion of accidents occur due to the motorcyclist riding too fast for the road conditions or losing control. In these types of accidents, no other vehicles are involved.
Of course, another common type of collision takes place at junctions where drivers or other vehicles such as cars, vans and trucks turn across the path of a motorcyclist. Currently, there are poster and radio campaigns being run which aim to increase awareness of motorbike riders on the road.
There are numerous workshops and short courses available nationally to improve riding skills and road judgement.
The most prominent courses are provided by:
- BikeSafe
- I.A.M (Institute of Advanced Motorists)
- RoSPA (Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents)
- E.R.S (The Enhanced Rider Scheme)
BikeSafe:
BikeSafe is a police-led initiative that operates across most parts of the UK. It basically involves riding with an experienced police rider who can assess you and let you know the skills you need to work on. They will also give you tips and advice on how to stay safe in tricky traffic or road conditions.
The video below of a Rider Skills Day by BikeSafe gives you a general idea of what BikeSafe is all about, how it works and why it’s useful to participate in such courses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byQrBW9c
Advanced training:
If you are after training at a more advanced level, then IAM and RoSPA can cater to your needs.
It is important to remember that training courses are not just about safety; they are designed to enhance your future riding experiences as well. Although rider well-being is paramount, fun is also a part of the equation.
For more advice on advanced training and bike safety IAM and RoSPA have a great YouTube pages rich with rider safety content.
In the video below IAM address the importance of IPSGA (Information, Position, Speed, Gear, Acceleration).
Devitt insurance: bike safety zone
For quick tips and online tutorials on how you can stay safe on the road, take a look at the Bike Safety Zone on Devitt’s website. A leading motorcycle insurance broker since 1936, the specialists at Devitt can assist you with all your insurance needs while making sure your cover will give you the best value for money.
Finally, keep in mind that road conditions, traffic rules and motorbike technology are constantly evolving. This means your skills can get rusty over time, which is why riders should continue to train throughout their riding years and not just stop once they have passed their bike test.
Are you thinking about taking advanced training to keep you up to scratch on motorcycle safety? Perhaps you have taken a particular course.
We’d like to hear about it! Please leave any comments, queries or concerns below!