Just thinking I should get round to doing one of these. For a variety of reasons. 1 I have not had any advance training for over a decade and I learned so much from that one I think I could benefit with a top up. 2 Also my local Council - Kensington & Chelsea has put in dedicated permit only bike parks with ground anchors. They offer a discount if you have proper training. Which makes it almost worth getting a parking permit.
So which one would should I go for? I’ve been riding bikes for 40 years so I would imagine some bad habits are deeply engrained. Especially being an utter and total London road rat. Those who know me know I do not hang around either.
Bikesafe - Cheap and 1 day only, you will learn a lot but is more of a stepping stone to encourage people to tkae the next level
IAM - think it s £85 for a year, plus a contribution to the observers petrol each time you go out. you train for about 9 months before your test, and once you have passed it, then you have it forever.
RoSPA - not sure of costs, but once you pass it, then you have to retake it every year (I think?) to keep it fresh.
There is also and Enhanced riding scheme, but think that is in its infancy.
Sorry can’t say - this is best for you, they are all kinda different really…
It’s just down to what I think I will learn the most from. The IAM is based on the Roadcraft book. It’s just down to the discipline of riding up to the speed limit and keeping to the all the observation,position and safety rules. (I’m sure I could do if I wanted to)
I’m just not sure which is best for me.
Bikesafe might be a bit basic for me, but it depends on who you go out with!.
At the age of 16 when my father gave me his S90 he also gave me the Roadcraft book and told me to read it. Which I did, but it did not make sense for another 15 years! Ah the ignorance of youth.
Bikesafe is a day of your time and 35 quid I think (and that includes lumch and tea/coffee’s :)) so do that for sure, you cant loose anything really, done two of them and learnt something both times, and I have been riding on/off for 13 years…
I chose to go the IAM route. It seemed less ‘fussy’, more sociable and no bi-annual re-tests. Doing the training has been great fun, and their social ride-outs are definitely ‘progressive’!
The other thing about the K&C secure bike bays is that the council have negotiated a good discount with the major insurers - which may well pay for both the IAM stuff AND the reduced cost permit. Quite joined-up thinking for a council for once!
Either at the ACE or at The Warren. Depends on which one is nearest to you. You get to better biking roads a bit quicker with The Warren, but BikeSafe isn’t just about riding the lanes…
Looks a bit police based for me…my bike just passed MOT but ‘vehicle check’ is worrying; there’s lots of gaffer tape and the horn doesn’t always work below 5mph…also if I filter a bit too keenly will I get a ticket?
Done mine at the Warren last week - amazing twisties in Kent and Surrey.
I am a complete novice and it was really good they’ve pointed out a few things I’ve done wrong.
£30 and you get Italian meal and lots of gadgets
I think I might do the Warren Bikesafe to start with. Then the IAM when I can fit in the time.
As I said I learned so much from the last training day 10 years ago with a ex Grade 1 copper. Including how to go faster without going fast! I could not believe his overtaking - bouncing down a line of traffic, picking off one car at a time, that was inspirational for me. I can do that now! So who knows what else I may learn?
Bikesafe wont be about nicking you for your bike, pipes and numberplates are ‘ignored’ for the day, and if they see you riding dangerously then they will talk to you about it, of course, that is what the day is all about, but then wont give you a ticket.
Just dont start doing stuff like monowheeling, going 20/30 mph over the limit…
Quite joined-up thinking for a council for once!