The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is offering every motorcyclist in the UK the opportunity to take part in a free 60 minute skills and safety riding assessment.
Led by an IAM qualified observer, the sessions will help riders to understand and develop new skills.
The offer is running for four months, and sessions can usually be arranged at a time and location convenient to the participant – although some of the regional groups run introductions on set days and locations.
The IAM also says that participants will leave the session with some new ideas plus tips on how to develop riding abilities.
To mark the launch of the free taster campaign, which coincides with the start of the new racing season, the IAM has teamed up stunt riding champion Lee Bowers and racer Emma Selway to create the ultimate skills competition.
The film (above) features Lee and Emma being stopped in their high-speed tracks and set a series of slow riding challenges by IAM riding experts Mark Lewis and Richard Gladman.
Mark Lewis said: “Many riders across the country will be getting their bikes out of the garage, after a long and wet winter. You know your bike needs a once over before it’s safe to ride all summer long – but have you considered whether your riding might too be showing signs of wear?
“What many people don’t realise is that a bit of further training can increase enjoyment massively – a point demonstrated by Lee and Emma in our video. Want to get that bend right? Make better progress? Get in touch and see what advanced riding is all about.”
Click here for more information on the course, including information on how to book.
My understanding is that the 60 minute assessment is riding skills and road assessment. In my mind there is no doubt that slow riding skills promote high riding skills.
Personally, every motorcyclist should be made to carry a pillion if it’s riding skills and safe attitudes we are looking to improve and promote on our roads.
Gareth Tuffery
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It’s interesting that the exercises on the video are pretty much what we used to teach learners on the the Part 1 test training in the late 80’s. So does that mean that today’s fully qualified rider is no better than learners used to be? If we are having to teach this stuff at ‘advanced’ level, is CBT fit for purpose?
Iain Temperton
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A shame they used such a video to publicise the programme. From start to finish the emphasis was on who would be the winner. I have actually booked a place on one of these courses but will now perhaps look at it again.
Keith
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There is no doubt in my mind that learning slow riding skills can improve one’s safety. The vast majority of fall off incidents are at speeds under 15 mph. Stopping, starting, turning manoeuvring etc. So an hour on these will draw benefits. However as in their last paragraph I suspect it will be on the road out of town and into the country, positioning, bends, vanishing points etc. It seems to me also that statistically most KSI occur on country roads and on bends and overtakes etc. In fact where the majority of training is emphasised. Doesn’t seem to work does it, as we suffer every year on year with the same stats. It’s about time we looked at bends and overtakes in a different way.
R.Craven Blackpool
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