Bikesafe courses - any good?

Got an option to do one soon, are they worth it or is it just an
opportunity to preach for the cops?

 

This email is being forwarded to you as you have previously expressed an
interest in attending BikeSafe course.
There are 5 courses planned for 2008 on the following dates. The courses
will run from the West Yorkshire Police Operations Complex at Wakefield

Saturday 12th April
Saturday 10th May
Saturday 14th June
Saturday 12th July
Saturday 6th September

The course is 8hrs duration, split into 2 modules.
Module 1 is classroom based covering theories and riding techniques.
This
module lasts for approx 4hrs.
Lunch ( not provided)
Module 2 is practical, road riding on various types of road. This module
lasts for approx 3hrs

There is a cost of £50 for those wishing to attend. If you wish to
attend
one of these course please contact me so I can make the necessary
arrangements.


Pc 2609 Iain Cook
BikeSafe Co-ordinator
West Yorkshire Police
Operations Support Motorcycle Unit
Carr Gate Complex
Bradford Road
Wakefield
WF 2 0QD

 

is this an "option", where the other "option" is to get some points on
your licence?

 

No, i sent an e-mail to them asking.

Just wondered if anyone had any experience etc.

 

Yes, it's definitely a preaching opportunity, but I found some useful
stuff in it. The first aid and the observation stuff was good.

The "I'm going to lead, try and keep up" was fun as well. Having
trouble keeping in touch with a copper on a Pan when you're on a
ZX-10R is quite humbling.

All in all, bike coppers are decent blokes and quite a laugh (very
dark sense of humour) and it's only 50 quid.

 

Same as West Mids, but they provided lunch.

 

< Snip lots >

I'd just enquired about the 12th April one when I saw your post. If there
are any places left, I'll be attending. Summat to do on a Saturday anyway.

 

I did a similar thing with Northants Police a few years back as a one
to one session. It was an absolute hoot and I learnt stuff.

After being followed by Plod for a while, we pulled over for a chat
and he indicated that as he was more than happy with my ability, speed
limits out of town were now 'advisory', provided a reasonable amount
of common sense was applied (speed limits in built-up areas were to be
strictly adhered to though). Having a Plod Pan filling your mirrors
through some of Northamptonshires finest twisties and knowing you're
not going to get nicked is tremendous fun and to be wholeheartedly
recommended. I'm nowhere near the quickest rider out there, but by
'eck those lads really do deserve serious respect for the way they
handle those barges.

The biggest compliment for me was that by the end of the afternoon
when we finally pulled over, he flipped his lid up and said that he'd
really enjoyed the last blat through the lanes and that I should just
keep on doing what I was doing, I was fine.

The chap was friendly, full of good advice and not particularly
preachy which was refreshing. As for his sense of humour - as someone
else has mentioned, dark.

Go for it, well worth £50 of anyone's money.

--
Elly - A Pixie doing a PhD
ZX9R-E1 - <Giggles>
Spike - FZ400 - It's dead Jim!
MRO#32 ibW#25 BoTAFOT#46 BoTAFOF #46 GP#1 UKRMRM#00 TWA#3
DFV#15
http://www.garagepixies.co.uk
elly at garagepixies dot co dot uk

 

According to the local yoof who did one, it was mainly about situational
awareness and avoiding blind/homicidal car drivers. He came away with
the impression that what we oldsters think of as common sense is in fact
rather uncommon. The emphasis was on defensive riding.

 

IME quite the reverse. Doing rather > 70 down the A406 was quite fun.

--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 145 2.0 Cloverleaf 156 V6 2.5 S2
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Friend of mine did one, he thought it was brilliant. Mind you, it was
also a freebie from Cornwall Council.

 

I did one with Glos police many years ago. The same two coppers still run
it, from Cheltenham Police HQ. Dates from April to October. See
http://www.bikesafe.co.uk/ for a link to the course nearest you.

Worth doing, especially for the observed ride, IMV.

Incidentally, for those not wanting the full 2 day course, Gwent Police
will be doing their Sunday rideouts from Abergavenny Bus Station. These are
FREE and can be prebooked
http://www.bikesafe.co.uk/Bikesafe/Bikesafe2000/wales/gwent/rideouts.html

 

Well worth doing.
I did one with the Met at the Ace Cafe - on a Friday in pissing rain.
Excellent advice and the afternnon blast back to the cafe was superb.
Paul Mostyn the cop I rode with was not at all preaching and remains a
friend over two years on.
Recommended.

 

Shall we make it a UKRM "do"? I quite fancy doing the course too.


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

Aye matey, no problem.

 

I'm with Beav on this. I have lots to learn!
I shall watch this thread and join the gang if I can.

--
Jeweller
R100RT
Formerly: James Captain, A10, C15, B25, Dnepr M16 solo,
R80/7, R100RT (green!)
www.davidhowardjeweller.co.uk

 

I could probably be motivated too for amusement.

 

Did one in Bromley last year. Brilliant day's riding and I learnt some
very useful stuff. There's nothing like the experience of doing a bit
of spirited riding with police beemer in your mirrors, and this way of
doing it carries far fewer risks of a spell in jail.

There's apparently talk of pulling or reducing the funding for them -
IMO you'd be stupid not take advantage of one ASAP, regarless of
experience or riding ability.

I was a tad worried about it, as my previous experiences with the
police have not always been happy affairs. But the fact they're plod is
very secondary to the fact that they're bikers who enjoy riding and
have more mileage under they're belts than most.

Do it.

 

I don't quite get it. Everyone seems to say that they are pretty fair chaps.
Does this mean that same plod wouldn't nick you if you were riding in the same
way on a non-Bikesafe day, or are they two-faced in that regard?

I'd be interested to know if plod actually turn a blind eye to speed if the
rider is in control and it is safe.

 

It's fairly simple. When they are doing Bikesafe courses they have been
tasked with encouraging people to ride more safely, thereby going some way
to reduce bike related casualties. The officers that did the course I went
on were pretty rational chaps and wanted to assess people when they were
riding at their preferred pace. It would be pretty pointless telling
someone that they rode well at 60mph when you are sure they would normally
be riding at 80mph along a particular stretch of road. A speed at which
their riding might become unsafe.

When they are on patrol they are tasked with enforcing the law. One of the
options is to prosecute those that break the law. Another option is to give
a warning.

Whilst this may lead to allegations of traffic plod being two faced, I
prefer it this way. If you get nicked by a proper plod then there is a
chance that he/she may apply a little rationality and let you off with a
caution. This is much better than the increasingly bureaucratic approach we
are bing subjected to, where all offences, however trivial, are prosecuted.