Bikesafe Review

[glade]

I posted this in S&W surfers, but i thought i'd put it up here for everyone else to see...

Held in Devizes, price = free! There's only one day left this year though.

You get there in the morning, tea & buscuits laid on. Then sit down with the police who explain the basics of good riding technique. More tea and biscuts are produced. The group is then split into two and half go off with a police rider, usually 2 people to each copper. The other half of the group get a talk from wiltshire road safety people who give a load of statistics to back up what you learn on the road. At lunch there is tea and cakes. After lunch the groups swap over. After more tea and cakes there is a debrief.

Police Talk:
No shock tactics, no lecture - brilliant! They are there to pass on the basics of the police road craft training. Mostly talking about vanishing points, road position etc. Some good discussions about what is legal and what isn't re tinted visors, exhausts etc good banter and jokes.

Rideout:
2 people to each policeman, 45 miles. one student takes the lead, then you pull over after a while to get a critique of your riding. Students swap over. the feedback was brilliant, a massive eye opener. Before i wasn't using the whole road, just plodding along in the middle of the lane. Police man was going right to the verge and right up to the white line to get the best view and his riding was so smooth. Bit worrying with a masssive pan european and flourescent yellow and blue thing in the mirrors though!!


Road Safety Presentation:
We did a questionnaire to assess our risk taking, got the results and learned a lot about the statistics for fatalities, saw a few videos. Lots of discussion about attitudes etc. Interesting information about what the goverment and road partnerships are doing for us... ALSO (shock) they weren't keen on the "safety" cameras either... The presenter was very involving and excited about his subject and everyone was enthralled.

We've been told that if we want another ride with the police we can ring up and they'll arrange it for one day when they're running another bikesafe event.

PM me for the contact details.

I found it to be really worthwhile, and i can't reccomend it enough.

[Red ones]

Sounds good. I keep finding out about Bikesafe around here about 2 days AFTER the event

I could do with one of those or something similar. Where would one look for a Londinium-based one?

[Biker Biggles]

Google bikesafe.I think they still do them at the Ace Caff.

[Shellywoozle]

Chell's in Stafford is the contact for Bikesafe, or if anyone is interested let me know I know one of the guys who does it.

Originally Posted by Kinvig

I could do with one of those or something similar. Where would one look for a Londinium-based one?

they do them from the ACE and from Bromley

[Viney]

Originally Posted by Kinvig

I could do with one of those or something similar. Where would one look for a Londinium-based one?

Erm, try http://www.bikesafe-london.co.uk/

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by Kinvig

I could do with one of those or something similar. Where would one look for a Londinium-based one?

Wanna go at the same time?

If so let me know and we can try and arrange the same date

David

Glad you enjoyed it - I did one a weekend couple of years ago and it left a bike impression on me. I suspect it's a major reason why I've managed to keep upright and accident-free. Touch wood.

Originally Posted by glade

... ALSO (shock) they weren't keen on the "safety" cameras either...

Don't be shocked........ they don't like 'em for many of the same reasons that we don't, like single-issue enforcement and police patrols being scaled down.

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by Jabba

Glad you enjoyed it - I did one a weekend couple of years ago and it left a bike impression on me.

What!! You got run over?????



David