Arrogant IAM bikers at Dunsfold today
Discussion
This afternoon at Dunsfold for Wings and Wheels. I'm wearing bike gear:
IAM bod 1.
"Hello, you look like a biker. We're part of a local biking club."
ME
"Ah ok. I usually ride alone these days and (spotting IAM literature about to be offered) I'm not really interested in advanced training at the moment"
IAM bod 1. "Oh ok. This is IAM bod 2. He's in the group too. IAM Bod 2, this is X. He likes to play alone and isn't interested in training."
IAM Bod 2. "Well, if you're not interested in being a safer biker than it's not for you, no."
ME (thinking) "Wow you know what, your patronising attitude has really sold me on the IAM training. Tell me, are they all as nice as you?"
Jesus.
Me - 42, biker since 1986, many years on 2 wheels only over 5 continents and tens of thousands of miles. I do the occasional one to one day with a local firm of trainers as I know there's always more to learn. But I've always thought the IAM . RoSPA thing isn't for me. Now I'm even more certain.
Sorry to hear this. As an IAM member but no evangelist for them, all I can say is: it's not about them, it's about you. Deciding whether you want to do something like an IAM or RoSPA course should be motivated by a desire to improve your riding, and very little else. There is absolutely no point hard selling advanced riding/driving because the whole thing relies on it the individual wanting to make it happen; however at the same time don't let someone's poor attitude stand in the way of furthering your skills. In fact, what if the whole thing was a deeply sour learning experience, but you still learnt something valuable that improved your driving/riding for as long as you kept doing it?
To be fair, I don't see how that's particularly arrogant.
You said you like to ride alone and aren't interested in training. IAM bod 1 told IAM bod 2 you like to ride alone and aren't interested in training. Bod 2 agreed with you that in that case, the IAM course wouldn't be for you. Seems pretty logical to me. If you told them you weren't interested in training, then they can't really sell the course to you!
What would you expect them to say after you said you weren't interested in training?
You said you like to ride alone and aren't interested in training. IAM bod 1 told IAM bod 2 you like to ride alone and aren't interested in training. Bod 2 agreed with you that in that case, the IAM course wouldn't be for you. Seems pretty logical to me. If you told them you weren't interested in training, then they can't really sell the course to you!
What would you expect them to say after you said you weren't interested in training?
DickusMaximus said:
IAM Bod 2. "Well, if you're not interested in being a safer biker than it's not for you, no."
I suspect that this is the bit that came across badly.FWIW, I did IAM bike and would regard it as a positive thing. I'm grateful that people are prepared to volunteer to run IAM.
At a group level it is very safety-orientated, with some people possibly thinking that they are better riders than they are. Others I met were good riders.
The actual examiners are Police chaps with more emphasis on making progress and a lot of overtaking.
I don't believe that IAM particularly promotes 'advanced riding skills' as such, although they are, thankfully, less dogmatic about the methods employed than they are about the outcomes.
Edited by MC Bodge on Tuesday 28th August 10:48
As a former IAM member I don't have an axe to grind either way.
I'm not sure anyone can gauge it from a web thread. So much communication is non verbal cues and intonation.
Instructors and recruiters should taylor their approach to their audience. Perhaps they'd been doing that alday and had got jaded, or that chap had just started and was getting warmed up? Your opening gambits are always well recieved and you never commit the occasional social gaffe?
Two IAM bikers I've encountered over the last 3-4 years when having nothing to do with advanced driving have been likeable, helpful blokes.
Not all PHers or bikers are the same so assuming all IAM or RoSPA people are doesn't seem entirely logical.
I'm not sure anyone can gauge it from a web thread. So much communication is non verbal cues and intonation.
Instructors and recruiters should taylor their approach to their audience. Perhaps they'd been doing that alday and had got jaded, or that chap had just started and was getting warmed up? Your opening gambits are always well recieved and you never commit the occasional social gaffe?
Two IAM bikers I've encountered over the last 3-4 years when having nothing to do with advanced driving have been likeable, helpful blokes.
Not all PHers or bikers are the same so assuming all IAM or RoSPA people are doesn't seem entirely logical.
Edited by carinaman on Tuesday 28th August 23:59
DickusMaximus said:
This afternoon at Dunsfold for Wings and Wheels. I'm wearing bike gear:
IAM bod 1.
"Hello, you look like a biker. We're part of a local biking club."
ME
"Ah ok. I usually ride alone these days and (spotting IAM literature about to be offered) I'm not really interested in advanced training at the moment"
IAM bod 1. "Oh ok. This is IAM bod 2. He's in the group too. IAM Bod 2, this is X. He likes to play alone and isn't interested in training."
IAM Bod 2. "Well, if you're not interested in being a safer biker than it's not for you, no."
ME (thinking) "Wow you know what, your patronising attitude has really sold me on the IAM training. Tell me, are they all as nice as you?"
Jesus.
Me - 42, biker since 1986, many years on 2 wheels only over 5 continents and tens of thousands of miles. I do the occasional one to one day with a local firm of trainers as I know there's always more to learn. But I've always thought the IAM . RoSPA thing isn't for me. Now I'm even more certain.
Do IAM or RoSPA, impress your examiner enough and get invited out on rideouts with them and their mates. You'll have to be really able though, which will mean riding within limits but showing that you can ride outside limits.IAM bod 1.
"Hello, you look like a biker. We're part of a local biking club."
ME
"Ah ok. I usually ride alone these days and (spotting IAM literature about to be offered) I'm not really interested in advanced training at the moment"
IAM bod 1. "Oh ok. This is IAM bod 2. He's in the group too. IAM Bod 2, this is X. He likes to play alone and isn't interested in training."
IAM Bod 2. "Well, if you're not interested in being a safer biker than it's not for you, no."
ME (thinking) "Wow you know what, your patronising attitude has really sold me on the IAM training. Tell me, are they all as nice as you?"
Jesus.
Me - 42, biker since 1986, many years on 2 wheels only over 5 continents and tens of thousands of miles. I do the occasional one to one day with a local firm of trainers as I know there's always more to learn. But I've always thought the IAM . RoSPA thing isn't for me. Now I'm even more certain.
Oops, not PC.
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