Gaining your motorcycle licence is just the start of life on the road, and we recommend that all riders consider topping up their training over time. There are a number of excellent local and national courses designed to do just that, helping motorcyclists of all ages and skill levels fine tune their riding so that they can stay safe on the roads at all times.
Many of these courses also allow participants to claim discounts on their insurance with leading companies.
Bike Safe
BikeSafe is a national course, delivered in Sussex by professional motorcyclists from Sussex Police and other SSRP Partners.
The ‘BikeSafe’ strategy is to engage with post-test riders in a conflict free environment to consider and analyse why motorcycle crashes are happening, including the attitudinal and motivational issues. There are fewer causes than you might imagine with five strong themes emerging throughout the country. Filtering, junctions, cornering, overtaking and group riding are the problem areas. Really obvious things seem to be placing everyday riders in life threatening scenarios.
In the classroom, ‘BikeSafe’ can offer potential solutions to the most prevalent crash causes and thereafter, following an observed ride element, prepare an individual rider development report which can be taken to a post-test training provider. ‘BikeSafe’ is about ‘Bridging the Gap’ into accredited training.
For more information, visit www.bikesafe.co.uk or call 0845 60 70 999.
DSA - Enhanced Rider Scheme
The Driving Standards Agency and Motorcycle Insurance Industry Association is designed for fully licensed motorcyclists and is ideal for those who have just passed their test, are upgrading to a more powerful bike, are returning to life on two wheels or riders who simply want a ‘health check’ on their riding.
Trainers have had to prove to the DSA that they have the necessary skills and experience to provide quality training to motorcyclists. The trainers also undergo regular quality checks to ensure that they’re maintaining the high standards.
A list of trainers can be found either by logging onto www.direct.gov.uk/ERS or by calling 0115 936 6546.
IAM – Skill for Life
Recognising that the majority of collisions are caused by driver or rider error, the Institute of Advanced Motorists’ (IAM) original Advanced Driving Test was introduced in 1956 with the specific objective of significantly improving driving standards. By 1976 the number of motorcyclists in the UK had risen dramatically, so the IAM launched the Advanced Riding test to help make bikers safer too. The tests are accredited by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).
The Advanced Riding Test is not exclusively about safety, but encourages the rider to feel confident on the road, to make good progress, and to get greater enjoyment from the experience.
More information can be found on the IAM’s website: www.iam.org.uk
Local Advanced Motorcyclist Groups
Both East and West Sussex have active Advanced Motorcyclist Groups. Each offers observed rides and access into the IAM, as well as active social scenes.
WSAM’s website: www.wsam.co.uk
ESAM’s website: www.es-am.org.uk
RoSPA Advanced Riders
The RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) Advanced Drivers and Riders' aim is to reduce road accidents by encouraging an interest in road safety and by improving driving and riding standards, knowledge and skill. In order to do this, RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders have over 50 local groups that will provide free training to help you improve your riding skills and help you train to become an advanced rider.
The RoSPA website holds all of the information that you’ll need to find out about this course: http://www.roada.org.uk/riders/index.htm
