BikeSafe

Lincolnshire contains some of the top motorcycle riding A and B class roads in the country which riders from within and outside the county enjoy.  However, all this comes with the responsibility of sharing the same roads with cars, buses, trucks, caravans and of course, that very significant feature of a rural county, tractors and trailers turning in or coming out of all those fields.

Sadly too many bikers are caught out each year on our roads.  The number of ‘biking miles’ is very low compared to the number of miles travelled each year by other types of vehicles vehicles; motorcycles account for only 1% of the total number of vehicle miles travelled.  But, injury statistics show motorcyclists are disproportionally represented in casualty numbers by being 20% of the total number of people killed in road related incidents.  In collision terms, riders should be no more than 1% of those who are killed, except other vehicle users have a big metal protective cage surrounding them to absorb the majority of impacts; riders don’t, simple, straight forward, not rocket science, when a rider hits something it hurts. 

It doesn’t matter how you look at it or view the figures, whilst inconsiderate drivers are the cause of many collisions, most of our serious biking collisions occur as a result of rider error.  It might be not assessing a bend properly, making a bad decision like misjudging an overtake, or simply going too fast for the circumstances.  Whatever the cause, even a relatively minor error, by the rider or another driver, can result in massive life changing injuries.

So our aims are simple; to help riders improve their skills and knowledge; to redress the statistical imbalance of high risk of injury riders have by reducing the risk of being involved in any collision; and, all this whilst maintaining the thrill and enjoyment of motorcycling.

BikeSafe is a national police developed scheme which is delivered by highly qualified and skilled riders under the long developed police system of advanced riding.  All staff in Lincolnshire who take part do so voluntarily because it’s something they believe in and are passionate about.  The Lincolnshire BikeSafe takes in about one and half hour of discussion and safe riding theory, which is then followed by a two hour ride out through our county’s great roads for an assessment of your current riding.  It may be that you will be told you have no problems with your riding or it may be that there are something which could do with improving.  Either way it’s good to know.

BikeSafe will encourage you to progress to look to some formal training in the future, but only if you would benefit from it.  There are many different types and styles of post-test training, advanced riding with the Institute of Advanced Motorists ( IAM ) and Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents ( RoSPA ), or the DSA’s own Enhanced Rider Scheme ( ERS ).  Everything is entirely up to you, we only provide you with more information on which to base your decisions.

BikeSafe in Lincolnshire is a half-day program ( always Saturdays 10am start to 2pm ) run from the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership office at The Pelham Centre in Lincoln.

Workshop dates are published early each new year for the forthcoming biking season.  Check here for this year’s dates.  Or to check availability of places, discuss anything about the BikeSafe sessions, telephone 01522 805800.