Bike Safe

[graham22]

I did look at doing a Bikesafe course a few years ago but was oulled by police & VOSA who were stopping just bikes & cars.

The copper doing this was a right arse and despite the VOSA guy saying nothing was wrong with my bike he kept asking him was he sure - I got fined £60 for an undersize numberplate - because of his attitude I've never looked to get inolved.

A friend of mine did Bikesafe, like me 25+ years experience on the roads, he said the course didn't teach him anything & the officer running it said the course wasn't really aimed at people like him.

Would still recommend this or other advance training for someone with less experience though - probably better still, is to speak with some of the experienced members on here.

[scorcher]

I did look at doing a Bikesafe course a few years ago but was oulled by police & VOSA who were stopping just bikes & cars.

They'll have days pulling lorries,a day pulling coaches,days pulling bikes and cars. If it gets some of the deathtraps and insurance dodgers off the road I'm all for it.

The copper doing this was a right arse and despite the VOSA guy saying nothing was wrong with my bike he kept asking him was he sure - I got fined £60 for an undersize numberplate - because of his attitude I've never looked to get inolved.

You were unlucky,but you know and took the risk by having a small number plate. its only a fashion accessory at the end of the day.Some cops have attitude and you got a bad one.

A friend of mine did Bikesafe, like me 25+ years experience on the roads, he said the course didn't teach him anything & the officer running it said the course wasn't really aimed at people like him.

Unfortunately,25 years experience doesn't make everyone a good rider/driver,you only have to witness the appalling driving on our roads nowadays.Driving too fast/too slow/no indicators/tailgating/cutting r/abouts/talking on phones etc etc blah blah blah. Some of the the worse driving is from the older generation.A lot of people don't even know what a dual carriageway is let alone what the speed limit is and a lot of them have more than 25 years experience. If you follow people on their bikes and look at some of the road positioning its quite shocking.

Would still recommend this or other advance training for someone with less experience though - probably better still, is to speak with some of the experienced members on here

Quite! But make sure if your getting info from an "experienced person" that its actually the right info,and not what they believe to be correct

[Smiler]

okaaaaayyy,

anyhoo.....

Yesterday!

Twas good!

The morning is mainly spent discussing all aspects of riding and road skills, positioning, hazards, overtaking etc..with various video clips on how to/how NOT to do it, lol...

The afternoon is spent out on the road, 2:1 with the Police rider assessing alternate riders and (despite what other people may say or what they've 'heard', this is done with legal speed limits adhered to!)

A bit unnerving at first having a mirror full of bike cop

I never once thought my riding was perfect, and came to Bikesafe with an open mind....I KNEW there would be things I've either gathered as bad habits, or stuff I'd forgotten or let slide since taking my test....but there were also things that have changed!

Did I enjoy it..? yes
Did I learn anything from it...? for sure
Would I recommend it..? Most definitely....regardless of how long you've been riding, what you ride, whether you are a commuter or a weekend bimbler....I think everyone can learn something from this.

check the Bikesafe website for details in your area and get yourself along ~