Hi guys, A few months ago I went to one of the bike shows and saw the bike safe stand. I went over and got chatting to the chaps who were on the stand and subsequently booked a spot. Well, today I went on the bike safe training course. I took the course in Haywards Heath as I live in the Eastbourne area and I thought that it would be better to take the course on roads that were unfamiliar to me as this would give a more accurate assessment of my riding skills (or lack thereof.) Well, I rock up at the police station at 8.30 and see the sign for Bike Safe parking, so that's the first part sorted out. Soon the bikes start pulling in and it's apparent that the course attracts a wide spectrum of bikers which is good. Once we found the door to get in we meet the police officers who are going to be taking us out. We had a nice cup of coffee and a chat and then it was down to business. First you go around everyone and find out who they are how long they've been riding etc. Then they show you videos and computer generated images of different scenarios of bikes out on the open road which is very good and easy to understand. You can ask questions throughout and they're very good at providing answers that are clear and easy for you to take on board. The time inside soon passes and before you know it you're out on the open road. We all left the police station together and headed to a nice cafe where we all met up again. After some nice grub and a coffee, it's time for me, George and Richard, our police bike instructor, to leave the rest of the guys and head out. Richard was very good at putting us at ease and explaining exactly what was going to happen with the afternoon. It's nice because you can ride within your own capabilities and not feel as if you're holding the chaps up. Basically, one of you leads for a while whilst the police officer keeps an eye on you and then when you stop to switch from lead rider to following you can have a chat and find out if there's anything that your're doing that could be improved upon. This scenario then repeats itself throughout the afternoon. As time goes on you become more at ease and start to forget that a police bike is taking up both of your mirrors. I think we covered over 80 miles around some really nice twisty back roads and at the end of it all I felt so much more confident on my bike. Just sitting behind a police outrider and seeing how smooth he is through the bends is inspiring in itself. The thing I liked about the ride is that you stop frequently and chat about how you think it's going and the police officer then adds his input. It's all very relaxed and an excellent way to improve your riding. Before you know it the rides come to an end and you're heading back to the police station for a debrief. We grabbed a coffee and had a chat with all the guys and it soon became apparent that everyone has enjoyed themselves. It just leaves Richard to write out mine and George's feedback sheet and have a chat and it's all over. I rode home feeling more confident rider than what I did. For me it was money well spent and I would do it again in time just to refresh my riding. I would wholeheartedly recommend this course to anyone. It's a nice day out on the bike and you're learning from the best in the business. Well that's my slant on bike safe and I would say that if you're thinking about doing it, get your name down as it's a great day out for little money. Stay safe guys and enjoy the summer.
Good write up, which I completely agree with. I attended a bike safe course last year organised by Vines in Guildford, and the police instructors were excellent. My instructed pointed out some aspects of my riding that needed improving and frankly I am IMHO a better, quicker and safer rider than before.
What are they like about speed tho, really? There were half a dozen at H Cafe today, assume thats what they were doing too
No problems about pushing on, I asked early doors and was told as long as we were riding safely, no issues about speed (I'm sure that stupid ton plus on standard roads would not be regarded safe). When roads were clear and vision ahead was good I was pushing on and instructer was not fussed, in fact commented on the lines and happy that was making best of the road positioning.
So they were happy for you to ride at a speed that was appropriate for the road and road conditions, rather than sticking rigidly to blanket speed limits?
I've done a fair few Bike Safe courses with Herts and Beds police. We always stuck to limits in restricted zones; 30s, 40s, 50s. We were allowed to make good progress in nationals though excessive speed or riding like a tit wasn't toler
funny I thought it was. Safe appropriate speed rather than speedo watching. Is 90 acceptable in a national on one of these things? 80? 70? All can be done safely and appropriately And I want to know how to travel at a good pace, remain safe and give myself room to act. Not sit at 70 max, be on the wrong side of the road half the time when its not necessary and be lectured my experience of police riders btw on rideouts in their own time
Hi guys . Thanks for the replies on the thread. As I said from my review I found the day very good and learnt a lot. We all know what these Bikes can do. Any idiot can hold the throttle wide open but it's what you do when it all goes wrong that counts! The reality is we share the roads with lots of other people and here in the South it gets very congested so riding fast is great providing you don't put other people at risk. I can appreciate that some people will find the thought of going out and being told that their riding could be improved a total no no and that's fine, but I don't mind admitting I went because I want to learn to ride my bike right and if things go wrong at least stand a chance of rectifying the situation.
Couldn't agree more. Any idiot who says they cannot improve their riding in some way with professional training is just that: an idiot
S Speedo watching is a real pain on these things, not least because the speedo is so far from your line of sight. Every glance at the speedo is time spent not looking where you are going :/
