Police BikeSafe - Review
Discussion
I know a few have been on this but for anyone thinking of doing it...
Due to Covid the numbers were cut down so we had 3 Police and 6 bikers.
Arrived at 8.30 and gave them our details so they could check Licence, MOT & Insurance online - apparently this catches some muppets out.
After a quick introduction - revealing we had everyone from a nervous newbie to an IAM Observer, we watched the (old) video clips and we talked them through - they were supposed to have been updated but it's been delayed, I don't think it matters as the points are the same.
The instructors were all serving Officers and were friendly and open, acknowledging that bikes are very quickly into 3 figure speeds.
For our ride we were told that 30 meant 30 and 40 meant 40 but there was some leeway on 50 / 60 particularly when overtaking
Only brakes were checked, slightly smaller plates / louder exhausts weren't commented on
By 11.30 we were out on our bikes, two per Officer, we had 1.5hrs each being followed - they provided the comms - the Officer could speak, you could only listen - my wife wants to get the same system
Apparently the comms (for this area at least) are new - I can't see how it worked before as the Officer was giving directions and instruction almost constantly.
I'm a fast driver and without an accident for 25+ years so I pay attention and look ahead, whilst I the Officer knew the roads, I was surprised how much information he was relaying to me.
As I'm a purely fun biker and living in the countryside, I don't really look at speed limits simply using common sense so having to concentrate on the speedo meant my riding was less fluid - as was those around me upon seeing a Police bike.
I was surprised to be encouraged to overtake ( a long line following a tractor and trailer) I would normally have waited for a better opportunity rather than cut in behind the tractor but he said it was the right move.
The final 1.5hrs I spent following the Officer who was following the other rider, whilst I could follow his (very smooth) lines it was a bit wasted as I couldn't hear his guidance, they couldn't pair two devices but they said they will hopefully be able to do so in the future.
Back at base for 3.30pm for a quick debrief, finished at 4pm
It was certainly worthwhile and good VFM at only £65
Due to Covid the numbers were cut down so we had 3 Police and 6 bikers.
Arrived at 8.30 and gave them our details so they could check Licence, MOT & Insurance online - apparently this catches some muppets out.
After a quick introduction - revealing we had everyone from a nervous newbie to an IAM Observer, we watched the (old) video clips and we talked them through - they were supposed to have been updated but it's been delayed, I don't think it matters as the points are the same.
The instructors were all serving Officers and were friendly and open, acknowledging that bikes are very quickly into 3 figure speeds.
For our ride we were told that 30 meant 30 and 40 meant 40 but there was some leeway on 50 / 60 particularly when overtaking
Only brakes were checked, slightly smaller plates / louder exhausts weren't commented on
By 11.30 we were out on our bikes, two per Officer, we had 1.5hrs each being followed - they provided the comms - the Officer could speak, you could only listen - my wife wants to get the same system
Apparently the comms (for this area at least) are new - I can't see how it worked before as the Officer was giving directions and instruction almost constantly.I'm a fast driver and without an accident for 25+ years so I pay attention and look ahead, whilst I the Officer knew the roads, I was surprised how much information he was relaying to me.
As I'm a purely fun biker and living in the countryside, I don't really look at speed limits simply using common sense so having to concentrate on the speedo meant my riding was less fluid - as was those around me upon seeing a Police bike.
I was surprised to be encouraged to overtake ( a long line following a tractor and trailer) I would normally have waited for a better opportunity rather than cut in behind the tractor but he said it was the right move.
The final 1.5hrs I spent following the Officer who was following the other rider, whilst I could follow his (very smooth) lines it was a bit wasted as I couldn't hear his guidance, they couldn't pair two devices but they said they will hopefully be able to do so in the future.
Back at base for 3.30pm for a quick debrief, finished at 4pm
It was certainly worthwhile and good VFM at only £65
I went on one last year, brilliant day out and very informative. Would recommend it to everyone.
We didn't have any comms at all, and I can't say that I thought it was lacking- he would periodically give us a flash of the lights to pull us over for a quick chat and talk things through. I actually felt more comfortable without the comms as it meant I could concentrate on everything around me instead of listening constantly, but maybe I'd think differently once I've experienced it.
We didn't have any comms at all, and I can't say that I thought it was lacking- he would periodically give us a flash of the lights to pull us over for a quick chat and talk things through. I actually felt more comfortable without the comms as it meant I could concentrate on everything around me instead of listening constantly, but maybe I'd think differently once I've experienced it.
I went on one in North Wales last year and it was good, but I was disappointed to get an IAM observer who didn't actually give anything useful on the road instead of the copper.
Interesting point about the overtake V8RX7, on my ride the observer did something that I didn't think was acceptable- overtook and forced his way between two cars who were already way too close together. I'm not exaggerating when I say his Uganda twin had a yard either side.
Interesting point about the overtake V8RX7, on my ride the observer did something that I didn't think was acceptable- overtook and forced his way between two cars who were already way too close together. I'm not exaggerating when I say his Uganda twin had a yard either side.
TheInternet said:
Where did you ride? What do you think you learnt?
Before we broke into groups we were asked what we wanted to work on, myself and the other guy, both having limited road experience said "everything"So we went through several villages and a town but mostly A / B roads
He criticised me for not slowing down enough coming up to side junctions etc, my feeling was that as I was observing the limit I already was slower and didn't need to slow any further.
I do agree with him when he said I need to prepare 100m sooner for corners, then slower through and faster out - my issue being that maintaining my average speed by then being faster on the straights would increase the probability of a ban and I enjoy cornering faster (that being a relative term) but from a safety viewpoint he's obviously correct
I also used to approach the vanishing point in a road at position 2.5 (ie in the middle) to me that made sense as I was equally prepared should the road turn left or right, but he said I should keep to position 1 as it was more likely that someone coming the other way was over the line and I should slow to cater for the road turning - which I thought was a fair point
He also said I needed to flow better, between my road positions - that I wasn't as smooth as a Police biker with 12 years experience came to no one's surprise
We also discussed what they considered "filtering" and what they didn't. I was also surprised that of 951 policemen they only have 11 Police bikers
I've been on one , but no comms, we had to keep an eye on our mirrors to check of he was indicating for the next junction. All other instruction while riding meant he overtook and tapped the back of his crash helmet signifying I follow him now. I was allowed to ride as normal , ie. filter at lights and so on.
I found it very informative and would recommend it.
I found it very informative and would recommend it.
Hugo Stiglitz said:
I've got two weeks experience on a bile and booked on one of those.
I must admit I'm slightly nervous as every so often I shift s
t or use the front brake too much turning in (smooth lean but a wet day would punish me..)
It's a good idea. They'll take you through the basics of advanced riding, and you'll definitely be more capable/confident with that knowledge. Let us know how it goes...I must admit I'm slightly nervous as every so often I shift s
t or use the front brake too much turning in (smooth lean but a wet day would punish me..)I would be interested to hear from anyone who has done BikeSafe and IAM if they think it offers anything that isn’t covered by the IAM training & test.
As a new biker with 40 years of car driving and 8 of those with IAM I went straight to my local IAM group soon after getting my bike licence and I’m nearly ready for the test.
As a new biker with 40 years of car driving and 8 of those with IAM I went straight to my local IAM group soon after getting my bike licence and I’m nearly ready for the test.
66mpg said:
I would be interested to hear from anyone who has done BikeSafe and IAM if they think it offers anything that isn’t covered by the IAM training & test.
As a new biker with 40 years of car driving and 8 of those with IAM I went straight to my local IAM group soon after getting my bike licence and I’m nearly ready for the test.
BikeSafe is essentially a very compressed IAM course IMEAs a new biker with 40 years of car driving and 8 of those with IAM I went straight to my local IAM group soon after getting my bike licence and I’m nearly ready for the test.
I did Bikesafe just after passing my test and they recommended IAM so I signed up as I really enjoyed it. I realise it is only as good as the observer but my experience of IAM was light years away from BikeSafe so I didn’t continue with it. I found IAM a complete waste of time with zero feedback after almost 4 hours on the road. I would like to try it again but finding it hard to get the motivation.
Instead of the IAM, I highly recommend Rapid Training, Survival Skills or BMF Blue Riband.
All three are excellent for a significant skills boost. If you’re after an advanced certificate (e.g., for insurance or personal satisfaction), the BMF Blue Riband fits the bill.
All three are excellent for a significant skills boost. If you’re after an advanced certificate (e.g., for insurance or personal satisfaction), the BMF Blue Riband fits the bill.
sooty61 said:
I did Bikesafe just after passing my test and they recommended IAM so I signed up as I really enjoyed it. I realise it is only as good as the observer but my experience of IAM was light years away from BikeSafe so I didn’t continue with it. I found IAM a complete waste of time with zero feedback after almost 4 hours on the road. I would like to try it again but finding it hard to get the motivation.
That's possibly down to the observer or group; I've been out three times so far and found it really worthwhile.hiccy18 said:
That's possibly down to the observer or group; I've been out three times so far and found it really worthwhile.
As an IAM national observer, personally I find myself to be excellent 
Our group is more like a bike club with IAM thrown in, rather than a full on beard organisation where fun is not allowed.Hugo Stiglitz said:
KTMsm said:
BikeSafe is essentially a very compressed IAM course IME
That sounds perfect for me. I want a shot of safety/feedback post mod2.I'd suggest looking at doing advanced training like buying anything else "safety" related. You'd not expect to only buy one helmet, or one pair of boots or gloves through you biking career so why would you only buy one lot of training? After all, advanced training will do much more to save you than a helmet, boots and gloves ever will as (as I've said before) riders survive, totally unscathed, every accident they don't have!
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