Give your bike the skills it deserves.

Humberside BikeSafe team invites all motorcyclists to one of their workshop days.

The workshop is designed to enhance the skills of riders who have already passed their test. It is particularly suitable for those returning to biking and sport bike riders.

We won’t teach you how to grind your “knee slider to atoms” or how to ride for 10 miles with your front wheel in the air, but we will pass on our experience and hopefully make your riding safer and more enjoyable

What happens on the workshop day?
The workshop day starts at 8.30am and finishes around 3.30pm. The workshop includes a classroom-based session, which will cover professional riding techniques, motorcycle control, the causes of crashes and bike security. We will also cover the basic first aid techniques you need if you ever have the misfortune of being the first on the scene of a motorcycle crash. 
 
This is then followed by a ride out with very experience Police or advanced rider and this is the time when you riding skills will be assessed. During the ride out your assessor will give you advice on how to improve your skills.

The cost to take part in a workshop day is just £35 (non-refundable) per person. If you would like to bring a pillion there is no charge. The workshops are limited to 15 riders per session.

Workshop sessions

Sunday 10th May  – Beverley
Sunday 17th May – Beverley
Sunday 24th May – Grimsby
Saturday 6th June – Brigg
Saturday 4th July – Beverley
Sunday 19th July – Brigg
Saturday 1st August – Beverley
Sunday 6th September – Beverley

Our opening event for 2009 will be held at the Humber Bridge in the North Bank car park on Sunday 26th April. As in previous years we will have local dealers, clubs and you will be able to go out on an assessment ride with an advanced rider. After which you can book a workshop of you choice at one of the three locations.

To book your place ring 07989 396 795

Rider Requirements

On the day, please bring your UK driving licences (if photo licence then both parts), valid MOT certificate (if required) and insurance certificate. Please wear appropriate clothing.

Riders’ machines must be in a roadworthy condition. No refund will be given should the rider’s machine be deemed unroadworthy.

Breakdown recovery is the riders’ responsibility. No refund will be given should the riders machine breakdown.

General Information

At the end of each day the rider will be awarded with a BikeSafe workshop certificate of attendance and a complimentary pack.

The workshop starts at 8.30am and finishes around 3.30pm. We ride in almost any weather except ice or snow. You can visit BBC weather to find out the latest weather forecast.

If for an unforeseen reason the workshop day has to be cancelled you will be given as much notice as possible and either alternative date will be offered to you. Or a full refund given.

If you have to cancel your place on a workshop day you need to give at least 14 days notice.

BikeSafe workshop days are held at convenient and easy to reach locations in East Riding of Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire. Call us to book at a location that suits you.

"Bike Safe Assessor Profile"

PC  Howard Fordam (over 50) is one of the Humber BikeSafe team of assessors and  has  been  involved  in the scheme for the last 15 years. As a serving Police  Officer  with  Class 1 Police Instructor Status, Howie enjoys being able  to  pass  on  his skills and experience to BikeSafe clients. He has a passion  for  bikes  and  wants  to  ensure every rider gets to enjoy their riding  in  the safest possible way. Here he answers a few questions on his biking history.

When did you start to ride a bike?
I  passed  my test at 16 within six weeks of getting my provisional licence but  I  was riding bikes off road from about the age of 13. I’ve always had an interest in bikes.

What type of bike do you own?
My  own  bike  is  currently a Honda ST1300 but I’ve owned a range of bikes over  the  years including a Kawasaki GPZ600R. But in the job I get to ride Hondas, BMWs and Yamahas.

Why do you like bikes?
It’s the freedom and excitement of riding.

What kind of training do you do to keep your skills up to date?
As  a police instructor I do regular training with the job and I’m assessed on my riding and instruction skills. Outside of the job I’m an Institute of Advanced  Motorcycling (IAM) examiner, which means again I’m assessed every two years.

What’s the best ride you’ve ever had?
The Stelvio Pass in Italy in 2007 with the wife  on the back. It has around 50 hairpin bends up the side of a mountain and  is  closed  with  snow  for  about eight months of the year. It’s very challenging but great fun.

What about in the UK?
The  roads  in  Scotland  are awesome. Some of the best rides are from Fort William to Mallaig and the road from Ullapool to Inverness is stunning.

What about weekend riding – where do you go?
I  can  do up to 150 – 200 mile round trip on a weekend. Starting from Hull up  towards  Middlesbrough via the North York moors and then back along the coast road through Whitby and Scarborough.

What are your hobbies?
Obviously  riding my bike, but also scuba diving, walking and following the British Super Bikes.

Who’s your all time favourite BSB rider?
It  has  to  be  John  Reynolds.  He’s  an  excellent  rider  and extremely supportive  of  BikeSafe.  I’ve  met  him  at  a BikeSafe event and he’s an inspiration and lovely bloke.

What are you going to do when you leave the Police force?
I’m  going to become a SKI parent – Spend the Kids Inheritance. We’re going to travel the world and get some fantastic biking done.

What advice would you offer to a rider?
Get  the right gear – I’ve seen what happens to rider’s bodies when they’ve come off the bike wearing jeans and trainers and it isn’t pretty. Check you bike  before  you  go  out,  remember  POWDERY (Petrol, Oil, Water, Damage, Electrics,  Rubbers, You). As a group we are very vulnerable when we’re out on  our  bikes  so it’s important to keep improving your skills, they could save your life one day.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

So who comes along to a BikeSafe workshop?

Some people may think that it’s old blokes with beards that come along to a BikeSafe  workshop  but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The Humber BikeSafe team has recently reviewed the information it holds on its clients and found the following facts out.

·     Whilst the majority of attendees are over 35 years, some would
consider this still to be fairly young and nearly 20% of our riders are under 25.

·     A third of riders have held a motorcycle licence for less then five
years when they come along to a workshop, a third between 5 – 25 years and
a third have over 25 years riding experienced.   So it’s a really mixed
group.

·     A third of riders have recently returned to biking, with two thirds
having a continuous riding history.

·     Two thirds ride all year round and a third are just summer riders

·     Most have never attended a BikeSafe course before and haven’t done
any previous training.

·     And most importantly nearly everyone who attends a BikeSafe workshop
are considering or seeking to do further training, which means our main aim of bridging the gap between riding and doing further training has been achieved.

Lastly  as  for  beards  –  we  don’t  ask  anyone  about their facial hair preference but you can still come along even if you do have a beard!"

Going on to take further training

We are anxious that having spent the day with our BikeSafe team that you go on to use and develop your skills by completing further training.

For your information we have listed below a number of recognised organisations within the biking world who offer further training.

www.iam.org.uk
www.rospa.com
DSA – enhanced Rider Scheme
(add in link
http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/drivertrainers/motorcycleinstructorinformation/registerofpost-testmotorcycletrainers.htm

 

There are also many commercial companies who offer training, many of whom are excellent. We advise you to check that the trainers have a recognised training qualification in advanced motorcycling before making your choice.