Advanced economics
Paul Williams wrote in the March edition that riding tuition can be really expensive but what price does he put on safety?
The IAM Roadsmart Rider course costs a little less than £150, usually for six sessions, riding about 50 miles each time. That’s about £30 of fuel for 300 miles of riding. The observers are all volunteers so you might contribute another fiver each session to their costs.
I did an IAM course and got a noticeable improvement in my safety, smoothness, powers of observation and rate of progress, as well as a greater sense of enjoyment and confidence. I’d say it was money well spent. Why not try it? Your 300 miles of tyre wear might be the best riding you’ve ever experienced. Brian Dring
Paul Williams’ could not be more wrong – I’d say joining a ROADAR group is good value for money. Take my group, Wiltshire ROADAR (www. wiltshireroadar.co.uk). It costs £30 to join as an associate member (£22 if you are 25 or under), which includes a copy of the police riding manual, Motorcycle Roadcraft, and the chance to attend our presentations and social events.
Associates are expected to contribute to their tutor’s costs but this is only £10 a session and it only takes seven or eight sessions to reach the standard - either once a month or as often as you and your tutor are available. The ROSPA test fee is £60.
That comes to around £170 spread over eight months. That’s not really that unaffordable is it? Peter Genet
Paul Williams is right that a day’s tuition with an advanced riding instructor can cost £120 or more but I learned about advanced riding on a budget. How? Bikesafe.
A Bikesafe course with Essex police was offered for just £10 with a day’s further training for free. I did this twice. A Bikesafe course with the Metropolitan Police is only £45 (athough I got it free as I work for Transport For London). Essex Fire & Rescue do a similar course which is free. All these courses are based on the same system as IAM or ROSPA, using the same police riders’ handbook.
Even if you pay full price for your local Bikesafe course it’s still a much cheaper step up the ladder. I’ve booked another one for September. Tony Bailey