Hi,
This is a mini-blog based upon the experience I have had thus far with Essex Bikesafe and further training from a one on one Rospa Advanced instructor.
I attended the Essex Bikesafe day in May 2011 on a Sunday, arriving at 9am in Chelmsford. There were about 6 or 7 instructors, either current serving traffic officers or ex-officers.
My day was booked effortlessly online two weeks prior to the day, but I got lucky as these days are usually well booked up in advance. Link to booking: http://www.bikesafe.co.uk/Police-Forces/Essex.aspx
Cost was approx £55.00 - Best money I've ever spent and everyone on the day said the same.
Once at the venue, you're approached by an instructor who checks all your details, licence insurance, bike condition, rider attire etc...
I would estimate that there were 20 of us on the course, so rider to instructor ratio was either two to one or three to one for the day.
It all kicks off with a cup of tea/coffee and a chinwag with the instructors, who then throw in 'can you read that number plate over there?' A good way to break the ice and check your eyesight......those crafty chaps eh?!
We all gather in a social club/classroom around a few desks and focus on the big projector screen. A good few videos are shown and comments are invited on road craft, riding kit, road positioning, observations and many other aspects on safe riding. Many would perceive this as the 'boring' bit of the day, but we were all pleasantly surprised on how good and informative it was. The class 'teacher' was a good laugh and added to the briefing, alieviating any fears of Police versus public.
At approx 10.30 am, it's on with the gear and time to saddle up and head off for some tuition. Hi viz vests are provided and worn by all. Some of the instructors are in full liveried bikes and some on their own bikes and there was even a 'covert' unmarked BMW out with us (which you only want to see in these circumstances!).
My instructor was called Mick Jones who has a history on bikes that is quite astonishing. He's qualified to the highest standard - more on Mick later (subsequent advanced training etc..).
Mick followed me for a while to assess my initial riding - this is quite scary being scrutinised, but I felt fairly relaxed and rode pretty much as usual, but obviously respected the speed limits a tad more than usual.
After a period of about 45 mins, we stopped and Mick gave me his brief on my riding. I was good on bike control and my overtakes were fine - Mick then told me what he'd be expecting from a good safe rider, how to observe, position and ride defensively and quite a fair number of things that you really to be doing in order to make life easier and safer on your bike.
Mick then took the lead and demonstrated his road craft, which was stunning - he is very visual, pointing at where you should be and various road markings etc...
We then headed out to Burnham and a lovely cafe where the food we pre-ordered that morning was waiting for us. Spoke to a few of the other lads that were on the course and all said they were having a great day (weather was good - 20c). Food was delicious, lasagne and chips, washed down with a nice sugary coke!
So, on to a few 60mph limit twisties in the afternoon in the countryside and again, more tuition from Mick. He encouraged overtakes where safe to do so and made good swift progress. I could really write all day about the instruction but the best thing to do is get yourself booked on for the day.
We finished back at the Chelmsford venue at about 3.30pm and debriefed over tea/coffee and gathered around the desks for more videos and general chat on the day's events. Our instructors gave us all written feedback on our riding and were invited to ask questions and raise any points on the day's activities. Finally, we were given a 'goody bag' and to be fair, it contained some decent bits of kit.
All in all, I learnt more on the Essex Bikesafe day than I had done anywhere in months. Really enjoyed the day and the instructors are a decent bunch of lads - they genuinely want bikers to ride safe and stay safe.
That's what this day is all about, trying to change the culture around road riding. I have changed my riding significantly lately as I'm getting older, but this day made me think greatly about my riding.
So much so.......that I have now undergone further training with Mick Jones on a one to one basis in order to gain a Rospa advanced riding award/certificate. My exam is in August 2011 - my blog on this is to follow, which is pretty in depth!
Lastly, I would like to thank the Essex Police and congratulate the Bikesafe folk who made this such a worthwhile day.
Cheers!
This is a mini-blog based upon the experience I have had thus far with Essex Bikesafe and further training from a one on one Rospa Advanced instructor.
I attended the Essex Bikesafe day in May 2011 on a Sunday, arriving at 9am in Chelmsford. There were about 6 or 7 instructors, either current serving traffic officers or ex-officers.
My day was booked effortlessly online two weeks prior to the day, but I got lucky as these days are usually well booked up in advance. Link to booking: http://www.bikesafe.co.uk/Police-Forces/Essex.aspx
Cost was approx £55.00 - Best money I've ever spent and everyone on the day said the same.
Once at the venue, you're approached by an instructor who checks all your details, licence insurance, bike condition, rider attire etc...
I would estimate that there were 20 of us on the course, so rider to instructor ratio was either two to one or three to one for the day.
It all kicks off with a cup of tea/coffee and a chinwag with the instructors, who then throw in 'can you read that number plate over there?' A good way to break the ice and check your eyesight......those crafty chaps eh?!
We all gather in a social club/classroom around a few desks and focus on the big projector screen. A good few videos are shown and comments are invited on road craft, riding kit, road positioning, observations and many other aspects on safe riding. Many would perceive this as the 'boring' bit of the day, but we were all pleasantly surprised on how good and informative it was. The class 'teacher' was a good laugh and added to the briefing, alieviating any fears of Police versus public.
At approx 10.30 am, it's on with the gear and time to saddle up and head off for some tuition. Hi viz vests are provided and worn by all. Some of the instructors are in full liveried bikes and some on their own bikes and there was even a 'covert' unmarked BMW out with us (which you only want to see in these circumstances!).
My instructor was called Mick Jones who has a history on bikes that is quite astonishing. He's qualified to the highest standard - more on Mick later (subsequent advanced training etc..).
Mick followed me for a while to assess my initial riding - this is quite scary being scrutinised, but I felt fairly relaxed and rode pretty much as usual, but obviously respected the speed limits a tad more than usual.
After a period of about 45 mins, we stopped and Mick gave me his brief on my riding. I was good on bike control and my overtakes were fine - Mick then told me what he'd be expecting from a good safe rider, how to observe, position and ride defensively and quite a fair number of things that you really to be doing in order to make life easier and safer on your bike.
Mick then took the lead and demonstrated his road craft, which was stunning - he is very visual, pointing at where you should be and various road markings etc...
We then headed out to Burnham and a lovely cafe where the food we pre-ordered that morning was waiting for us. Spoke to a few of the other lads that were on the course and all said they were having a great day (weather was good - 20c). Food was delicious, lasagne and chips, washed down with a nice sugary coke!
So, on to a few 60mph limit twisties in the afternoon in the countryside and again, more tuition from Mick. He encouraged overtakes where safe to do so and made good swift progress. I could really write all day about the instruction but the best thing to do is get yourself booked on for the day.
We finished back at the Chelmsford venue at about 3.30pm and debriefed over tea/coffee and gathered around the desks for more videos and general chat on the day's events. Our instructors gave us all written feedback on our riding and were invited to ask questions and raise any points on the day's activities. Finally, we were given a 'goody bag' and to be fair, it contained some decent bits of kit.
All in all, I learnt more on the Essex Bikesafe day than I had done anywhere in months. Really enjoyed the day and the instructors are a decent bunch of lads - they genuinely want bikers to ride safe and stay safe.
That's what this day is all about, trying to change the culture around road riding. I have changed my riding significantly lately as I'm getting older, but this day made me think greatly about my riding.
So much so.......that I have now undergone further training with Mick Jones on a one to one basis in order to gain a Rospa advanced riding award/certificate. My exam is in August 2011 - my blog on this is to follow, which is pretty in depth!
Lastly, I would like to thank the Essex Police and congratulate the Bikesafe folk who made this such a worthwhile day.
Cheers!
