Bikesafe

I've been looking to do this when the leicester one opens again but am now unsure as i'm pretty sure with all the cut backs its no longer free and doesn't seem worth it with the feedback i've seen.

[Red Herring]

Originally Posted by aaron020873

although everyone has passed their bike test has anyone been told they ride unsafe on one of these courses?

Strangely enough, yes. You would think being followed by a copper people might just be inclined to try and ride sensibly but every now and then you get a clever clogs that tries to impress you the wrong way. Generally the dodgy ones don't even realize the risks they are taking, ignorance is bliss....
Bikesafe isn't designed or intended to make people into advanced riders overnight, it's supposed to just help sow a few seeds of thought. If you go into it with an open mind and just be prepared to listen to a few alternative views you might just get something. Then again, you may not.

Originally Posted by SIII

I'll see you there buddy, i across with a few guys from D&G.

Hi, Is the North Cumbria one in Carlisle not better being closer or do u guys want the long ride?

For me- 55 miles each way, 1 hour 3 min. according to google maps!
Nice. The best thing is spring will have seen a leap and bound by end of april and hopefully the ambient temps. will make the days ridng pleasantly comfortable. Any improvement on the current kak weather has got to be something to look forward to.

[Bluepete]

Any professional training is good training.

If you learn just one thing that gives you that edge, it's worth any money.

Book it.

Pete

[Luckypants]

The North Wales one is free subject to a £10 booking fee. I did one in 2007 and got a lot out of it, two half days of observed riding with useful feedback that improved my riding.

Originally Posted by aaron020873

although everyone has passed their bike test has anyone been told they ride unsafe on one of these courses?

I did the First Bike on Scene first aid course last year that included a one day Bikesafe. I chose this as a review of my riding. I was not told I was unsafe, but that I was 'aggressive'. This observation hinged around one overtake which was discussed in full, the observer agreed that no other road user was inconvenienced or put in danger (myself included). His objection was that there was a corner at the end of the straight that I had to brake down for; where I could have stayed behind the slow vehicle and not braked for the corner...

I do not agree with his assessment but did use that feedback to think about how I was riding and it may have made me less 'aggressive'.

[TheRamJam]

I did one in April 09 with Strathclyde Contabulary. A good full days coaching and then an assessed ride that you book with a qualified instructor.

It was free at the time. Was quite informative and defo worth the time. Although IMO forking out £80 does seem quite steep for what it is. You'd be better off coughing up the extra £59 and doing IAM or equivalent courses

[punyXpress]

North Yorkshire:
£10 for a 3 hour session at Thirsk Copshop, then they contact you for a ride.
Dates:
Sunday 8th April 11am - 2pm
Tuesday 17th April 6pm - 9pm
Saturday 5th May 11am - 2pm
Sunday 13th May 11am - 2pm
Wednesday 9th June 6pm - 9pm
Sunday 19th August 11am - 2pm
Saturday 1st September 11am - 2pm
Saturday 15th September 11am - 2pm

I did a bike safe day at Castle Combe a few weeks after passing my test last march. Had a brilliant day and the track time was awesome fun.

His assessment was good, showed me a few different lines to use through corners and chatted about recently passing etc. Gave me a real confidence boost, the ride home afterwards was awesome, nice and smooth, less rigid on the bike.

£25.00 well spent. I plan to do it again this year to get a comparison a year or so on with a few thousand miles under me on two wheels.

[BoltonSte]

Depends what you want I suppose as I understand it (I haven't been on one) the BS course assess your riding then helps improve it.
Cheshire are getting into Ride Safe Back Safe this year, I know that RSBS are also offering assessment rides, I'm pretty sure these are £20 for 1/2 a day (not sure where from exactly, but sounds like the various involved counties are doing their own) These are normally run by IAM groups so I would think it'll be similar structure to the BS, there's nothing on the web at the moment but I was talking with the guy who's involved with it. There's something like 8 dates planned for this year so may be worth contacting RSBS directly.

Ste

I'm doing the Gwent one in May. £80 with lunch and a mix of classroom and observed rides. The rides are 3hrs and cover at least 100miles each session spread over 2 days so their website says.

As a new rider I'm just using this as further training before maybe going down te route of advanced training. I've got the roadcraft book too so be interesting to see how it translates onto the road.