Has anyone tried the Bike Safe course run by the police?

[dabigginger]

I was just reading about the Bike Safe courses run by the police. Has anyone been on these courses, and what do you think of them? I really want to improve my low speed control and improve my cornering at higher speeds. One of my mates was suggesting that this may help me quite a bit, although he's never been on one of these courses.

Also, does anyone know how much they charge roughly for these courses?

Thanks in advance for any info!

[bazza]

https://www.bikesafe.co.uk
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"That's it. You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college."
'98 Ducati 750SS, '08 Suzuki GSX650F ©2004-2014, Bazza's Harmless Banter

[Walloper]

It is free.
The tax payers pay for it. It good to get your money back somehow.
You will get tips and advice on how to stay safe.
They follow you one to one and you find out that not all police are bastards or not all the time.
If you are so keen buy their wee book. Police Motorcycle rider roadcraft. Cheap and very informative.

Slow control takes practice. You could ask IAM too. Look for them on the net.

(Stuffy old fkers all with sense of humour by-passes though.)
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[bazza]

[extreme3d]

I did Bikesafe with the North Yorkshire Police along with a few friends. Our course involved 2 days classroom sessions (with refreshments!!!) and a 3rd day riding. Was good fun, especially as the route took us along the Yorkshire TT. The police officer rode an R1 in police colours, and put it this way, we went well above legal speeds on that part of the route .

The rest was text book riding in which you follow him for the first part and near the end he follows you. The main thing we gained from the course (aside from being able to see all the unmarked and marked Subaru Impretza's the police have in the Thirsk Garage (no speed cameras in North Yorks so they get them instead), was the constantly changing lane position they adopt to see better around bends. I still do it now so was worth it for me.

Not all the police forces do the classroom sessions so it might be worthwhile finding a force near you that does.

At the end of it all you get a certificate and depending upon the insurance company a reduction on future policies.

[extreme3d]

[dabigginger]

@bazza, just had a look at the website already. I was just wondering if anyone on here had personal experiences they'd like to share. Thanks anyway!

@Walloper, well, I can't complain with free! I've never had anything against the police. At the end of the day, they are just a bunch of people doing their jobs. Some are decent people, some are gits, just like everyone else in all walks of life.

I'll look for their book... sounds interesting!

I decided against the IAM ages ago, partly for the reasons that you mention. In fact, I read on here a while ago that they were having some discussion on their forum about how many times your indicator should flash after you've turned off your junction! Just seems a bit daft to me.

[dabigginger]

@extreme3d, so is it a bit like the DAS in the way that they'll follow you and give instruction over the radio, or is it ride for a while, then stop and chat etc?

[extreme3d]

[St0rmer66]

I did it with the Thirsk (North Yorkshire) force too along with sagalout form these forums. I found it pretty good, not a huge amount that I didn't already know but it helped me to focus it all and actually put it into practice. The positioning on the road was probably the most helpful part for me, and no they don't mind you breaking the speed limit as long as you don't go crazy and stick to the 20's, 30's and 40's (I was told to keep it below 3 figures in NSL, but my bike barely does that anyway since it's restricted ). Overall it was pretty useful. Cost me £50 I think. Had the classroom session and then the ride out. After the ride out they go through with you some of the things you did right and wrong etc and give you marks from 1-5 in different areas (I got mostly 5's and a couple of 4's.. which is very good and I think the best marks there. Note: I'm only 19). On the rideout there are 2 riders to 1 instructor and the 2 riders each go half way as the leader, the instructor 2nd and then the other rider at the back, switching the riders round when you get half way. I personally chose to be second as then I got to lead for the afore-mentioned Yorkshire TT .
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:: Honda XR 125 L ('53) => Kawasaki GPZ 500S ('02) => Suzuki SV650S ('00) => Aprilia RSV-R ('51) ::

[Jlo31]

I did the Bike Safe course in Birmingham in early June. Cost £50 and was a 1 day course.

Found it excellent. If you are interested you can read my write up in this thread https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=117632&highlight=

Cheers

Jlo

[bazza]

[Zed6]

Thats actually a good idea, im sure if you do ever get pulled over and let them know you've taken the bikesafe course, they'll go easy on you aswell, £25 a day down here.

[NickD]

Me an the Mrs did it with the Met last year, run from the Ace cafe. Given that we've both been riding for 10 years plus it wasn't really ground breaking stuff, but as a value for money refresher it was great. Bargain.
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I was only doing what it said on my licence officer....
Tear along the dotted line!

[extreme3d]

[Adam80UK]

I did it earlier in the year from the Ace Cafe with the Met, and was free for me

Was a one day thing, som classroom stuff, videos, etc. And two rides, one in the morning around town, one out on fast roads. Was one police solo to two of us, and speed limits were... negotiable.

Basically just ride a la Roadcraft really and get some good feedback with which you can take away and learn from.

For me it was free and counted as a working day. If I had to pay and do it in my own time... maybe would have thought twice.
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Current: '07 Suzuki SV1000 & '07 Honda SH300i (again).
Previously owned: '08 Yamaha R1, '10 Kawasaki Z1000, '07 Honda SH300i, '04 Suzuki SV1000S, '11 Honda CB1000R, '09 Kawasaki ZX-10R, '08 Aprilia Tuono 1000R, '07 Triumph Daytona 675, '95 Honda CBR600F.

[T.C]

[GodzGift]

I am planning to do a bike safe course in london https://www.bikesafe-london.co.uk/ as soon I can find the bike I am after.

£30 or above, who cares even f its 50, Im sure it will be a great day out riding and getting experience, and lets face it it may save your life when riding which is priceless.

shame i dont have a bike
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Bike Level: Amateur | CBT Passed

[atom]

I did bikesafe with the Strathclyde Police, I found it very informative, and useful to an extent, though they make it quite clear that the purpose of the day is to get you to do more training.

Subsequently I looked up the local IAM group, who are teaching to the police roadcraft book. The course is six weeks, with an observed rides on Sunday mornings and practice and study in between times. Week seven is a Mock test then 8 & 9 polish before week ten, actual test. Though at the group I'm in they have an associates group where before we get on the course we learn about checking the bikes (BETOPS), slow manouvering and starting and stopping "drills" as well as theory.

There are a wide range of different bikers, R1's, Husky, Augusta MV, suzuki and and a pan or two.

Anything which means I'm more able as a rider to avoid danger is a plus. I'd definiteley advise doing a bikesafe but don't rule out further tuition, theres a lot to learn in roadcraft.
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The Internet: Ceefax for the 21st Century

[tintin]

I did it with Met Police from the south London site - it was a good day, it taught me some stuff which I found helpful even though I've been riding 20 years.
Basically it's just like riding a bike - but slower..... and being followed by a police motorbike!
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The older I get the better I was

[G]

My thoughts here.

[Ichy]

The IAM course is based on twelve weeks with 6 observed rides of around 4 hours. On top of that there are two theory sessions and it all finishes with a test generally carried out by a class one rider. There is generally a list of local observers that you can phone and go out for observed rides any time.

The whole system is based on making good progress.

Normally it costs £85 all in but when Hein Gericke opened the new store near DK in Stoke they were doing it for £40 with the rest paid by the local council.

I guess its all a matter of where you go but a fair few of the observers I've met ride sports bikes or sports tourers. The last ride out I was on I ended up scraping my footpegs on the roundabouts trying to make good progress. The Observer looked like he belonged in BSH.

[Teaman]

Bikesafe = brilliant way of finding out your faults and learning how to correct them. hones you into a slightly better/confident and (in my eyes) safer, more observant rider.


IAM = pretty much same as above but on the whole can turn you into a complete twonk who thinks they can ride at whatever speed they wish and wouldnt piss on another biker if they were on fire, unless they were IAM aswell. (some of coure are perfectly normal)


ROSPA = the better one of the IAM,ROSPA courses.


I did Bikesafe, some insurance companys are recognising it as an advanced cours and reduce accordingly
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Someone stupid does not realise they r stupid.stupidity is indistinguishable from malice U just have to accept that some people are thick as p1gsh1t and work around them.

[T.C]

[colin1]

i think you are misinterpretting what he said

he said bike safe made him a better rider

not that it made him as good as you or equivalent to whatever standards you examaine
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colin1 is officially faster than god