Bikesafe differences

Hi all

I would really appreciate everyones input on the differences between the Bikesafe courses that are out there. As Notts doesn't do one I have been scouting round to try and find one in a neighbouring county that does. However there seem to be some real differences in price, length of time etc. Any feedback from people on the ones they have done would be appreciated.

Derbyshire
Bikesafe course - No
Cost - £90
One to one tuition? - unknown
Duration - 1 day
Notes - they do a Bike Plus run by the council. You have to fill in a form then an instructor gets in touch with you to organise it.

Lincolnshire
Bikesafe course - yes
Cost £25
One to one tuition? - appears to be
Duration - 1 day
Notes - from the web site they seem to be a lot less stuffy than others but the actual ride seems to be just for an afternoon. Lunch not included.

Leicestershire
Bikesafe course - yes
Cost £60
One to one tuition? - unknown
Duration - 1 day
Notes - this seems to be a lot more formal and organised. The ride is also for half the morning and the afternoon. Lunch is included

Warwickshire
Bikesafe course - yes
Cost £95
One to one tuition? - unknown
Duration - 2 day
Notes - The ride is over two days. Lunch is included

Many thanks

Trace

its free in scotland. with those prices you would be better signing up for IAM and getting a qualification at the end of it. unlimited training too as opposed to one day.

[Nobbylad]

I had a very interesting chat with a guy called Mike Addison who is a member of the National Association of Advanced Motorcycle Instructors (NAAMI). He explained the differences between the Bikesafe, Institue of Advanced Motorists and RoSPA. I have decided to do the RoSPA 1-day course which costs around £160 for the day, but is a full day of theory and 1-on-1 tuition/pursuit etc. They have bronze, silver and gold standards - gold being the highest level for a civilian motorcyclist (I think!). He also does trips abroad - 5 day course in the IoM and a 10-day course in the Alps (I think) - the IoM course was featured in the August edition of Bike mag.

[glade]

Wiltshire is free.

There is classroom stuff, then an observed ride. 3 or 4 people to one copper.

Well worth doing!

Not sure where abouts in the midlands you are, but this may help?

http://www.bikekraft.co.uk/

[Biker Biggles]

Derbyshire courses----No
Cost----£90

Another stealth tax?
Somebody onto a good thing.

[Lissa]

We did the two-day Warwickshire one, and it was excellent. Mostly police riders, with a few RoSPA instructors. One copper/RoSPA instructor to two of you. Each take it in turn to lead and have their riding assessed. Lunch thrown in. The first morning was a couple of hours classroom work, then out on the roads. The second day nearly all riding.

When we did it, it was based at Gaydon at the Heritage Centre.

Originally Posted by Biker Biggles

Derbyshire courses----No
Cost----£90

Another stealth tax?
Somebody onto a good thing.

lol, as I said in the notes about that one, the council seem to do a thing called BikePlus, which costs £90. They don't do bikesafe as such.

Thanks for the feedback folks. I was thinking of doing the bikesafe thing then IAM/RoSPA later on. Then look at the California Superbike school.

IMHO the more knowledge and practice you have, the likelihood of you getting yourself into a silly situation decreases.

Trace

Kingston Council offer it as a free course- 1 day, no lunch provided. It seems a lot of councils are starting to do this. I think it's a great idea- I'm doing it in August. Am considering IAM after this.

[timwilky]

My local plod don't operate bikesafe. Instead there is a council con. About £120 for an unrecognised qualification. I am astounded that anyone would consider it when they could do RoSPA or IAM for less