Top tips, places to ride out and safety advice

from the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership

New Ducati supported campaign rolls out across Sussex
See the full story on pages 10-13
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www.stayahero.co.uk
IBBcG. G
2011
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The Sussex Safer Roads Partnership
(SSRP) is continuing its work to reduce
road casualties across Sussex through
structured programs of education and
enforcement initiatives.
Every year in the Partnership, we refine and
develop strategies in these key areas to
make the roads of Sussex safer, building
safer communities by sharing the
responsibility and engaging with members
of the public - our greatest asset in the
development of a safer road environment.
We are funded by Government grant
through the three local highway authorities,
East and West Sussex County Councils and
Brighton and Hove City Council. Other
partners are Sussex Police, the Fire and
Rescue Services from East and West
Sussex, the Highways Agency and HM
Courts Service. We are not funded by
monies from speeding fines, which is a
common misconception all of this money
goes directly to the Government.
For more information about the work of the
SSRP, please take a look at our website:
www.SussexSaferRoads.gov.uk
Safer Roads
Safer Communities
Sharing the Responsibility
02
03
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02: About the SSRP
03: Introduction
04: Who Can Ride What?
06: Blood Runners
07: Helmets
09: Riding Tips
10: Stay a Hero -Stay Safe
14: Protective Clothing
18: Ducati
20: Further Training
22: Ride Outs
CCGB
Sussex is a beautiful place to enjoy on two
wheels. However, its a sad fact that both
motorcycles and mopeds are massively
over-represented in our collision and
injury statistics.
While bikers account for only 1% of all
vehicles on the road, nearly a quarter of all
individuals killed and injured in Sussex are
on two wheels.
The Sussex Safer Roads Partnership has
created the Stay A Hero, Stay Safe
campaign (www.stayahero.co.uk) to try and
reduce this number. The campaign is meant
to be non-judgemental and accessible to all
riders were not interested in pointing the
finger or singling out any riders; we simply
want to work with motorcyclists to help
them get the most out of our county and its
roads safely.
Excitingly, Ducati have come on board and
will be supporting it at their dealerships
throughout the UK. This is a significant
endorsement of our campaign, and were
delighted to be working with such a
well-known and respected manufacturer.
This magazine will give you all of the details
about Stay A Hero, Stay Safe, as well as
providing useful information about protective
clothing and further training opportunities.
Were also delighted to be promoting the
volunteer Blood Runners service on page
six and have put together a short list of
some great places to ride out to as well.
We hope that you enjoy this first edition of
Sussex Biker and dont forget to let us
know what you think of the Stay A Hero,
Stay Safe campaign by visiting our website:
www.stayahero.co.uk.
Neil Hopkins
Communications Manager
Follow us on Twitter (@SussexSRP) and find
us on Facebook by searching for Sussex
Safer Roads Partnership
04
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The rules on who can ride what motorcycle,
moped or scooter arent the easiest of
things to understand.
Hopefully the short guide below will give you
enough information to choose your best
route into life on two wheels.
The course you choose will depend on your
age, the type of machine that youre
planning to ride and how long youve
been riding.
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All moped, scooter and motorcycle riders
must have completed their Compulsory
Basic Training (CBT) as an absolute
minimum before heading out on the road or
taking further training. The CBT only lasts for
two years by the end of this period, it
must either be renewed or upgraded to a
full motorcycle licence. It is also important to
remember that the CBT is not a test but
merely basic training where you have to
reach a safe standard before being allowed
to ride on a public road. With this in mind,
not everyone will be capable of reaching this
standard in one day as we all learn at
different rates (especially those who have
never ridden a motorcycle before).
The CBT training will be a part of all other
types of motorcycle training.
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You can only ride a moped (up to 50cc and
a maximum speed of 30MPH). You must
have a provisional licence, display L-plates
at all times, cannot carry pillion passengers
and must not travel on the motorway.
(Category P)
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You have two options. You can either take
an A1 or A2 licence. (Category A)
The A1 licence is the light motorcycle
licence. You will take the licence on a bike
between 70cc and 120cc. Once youve
passed the A1 licence, you can ride any
machine up to 125cc.
The A2 licence is the standard motorcycle
licence. The test will be taken on a machine
between 120cc and 125cc and capable of
at least 100 Kmh (62 MPH). On passing the
standard bike licence, you will be restricted
as to the bikes you can ride. While you
could buy a big, powerful bike, you are
restricted by law to 25kW (33 BHP) power
output. This will mean a restrictor needs to
be fitted.
The standard motorcycle licence is valid for
two years, after which time it automatically
upgrades to an unrestricted licence (where
you can ride any size/power of motorcycle).
This means that, if you took a standard
licence at 17, you could ride an unrestricted
motorbike at age 19.
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At this age, you can enter the two-wheeled
world by taking any of the courses already
mentioned, or you can take the Direct
Access Course (DAS). (Category A)
The DAS Course is taken on a motorcycle
that outputs 35kW/47bhp and is usually a
500cc or 600cc machine.
Once you have passed the DAS Course,
there is no restriction on the size or power of
bike that you can own and ride. You can
also carry pillion passengers and travel on
the motorway.
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The theory test must be taken before any
full licence test can be taken, but it does not
need to be taken if you just want to ride a
50cc/125cc on L-plates, but is highly
advisable to practice before your CBT as
well as reading the Highway Code.
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If you passed your full car licence before
February 1st 2001, then youre allowed to
ride a 50cc moped only, you do not need
L-plates and you may carry passengers, but
riding on motorways is not allowed.
05
However, we recommend that all those who
are returning to riding or taking up riding
for the first time in later life take an
approved motorcycle test. Bikes and road
rules have changed a great deal in the last
20 years and, by taking a full motorcycle
test appropriate for the bike you want, you
stand a much greater chance of staying safe
on the roads.
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If you passed your test a while back,
whether you have ridden recently or not,
and if you want your riding checked, there
are a number of schemes to ensure that this
is done safely.
The government introduced a register for all
professional post licence trainers in 2008,
The RPMT (Register of Post Licence
Motorcycle Trainers) trainers who are on this
register are:
Experienced
Have demonstrated they have the skills
to provide quality training
Are checked regularly to make sure they
maintain a high standard
Fully insured to deliver training
For more info see;
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Learn
erAndNewDrivers/RidingMotorcyclesAnd-
Mopeds/DG_4022666
There are also local riders groups that
belong to either RoSPA (Royal Society for
the Prevention of Accidents) or the IAM
(The Institute of Advanced Motorists) who
may also be on the RPMT and who are able
to offer advice on post licence training.
http://www.roadar.org/riders/test/index.htm
http://www.iam.org.uk/the_advanced_pro-
gramme/theadvancedprogrammeaskillfor-
life.html
Thanks to Steve Manning at ART
Motorcycle Training for advice regarding
this article.
(www.artmotorcycletraining.co.uk)
06
In the dead of night there are bikers
navigating the roads of Sussex. They are the
Blood Runners or Service by Emergency
Rider Volunteers (SERV). Theyre dedicated
to making sure medical supplies can reach
the people who need them. SERV transport
emergency blood, blood products, X-rays,
patient notes, laboratory samples and
human breast milk to hospitals and medical
facilities at night. The National Blood Service
(NBS) doesnt provide a standard delivery
service for blood and samples between the
hours of 7pm and 6am, at weekends and
on national holidays. Hospitals can rarely
afford the luxury of using couriers at night
for long distance journeys.
The volunteer service responds to
approximately 3,000 calls per year saving
the National Blood Service in excess of
300,000 per annum. This allows
re-deployment of much-needed funds for
improved patient care and other essential
facilities within the NHS.
Volunteer bike riders work on a rota,
generally working one night in fourteen,
waiting to respond to emergency calls
relayed via their county controller. SERV
volunteers usually use their own machines
and pay for the petrol themselves. Riders
are on stand-by in many areas across the
country, including: Hertfordshire, Surrey,
Sussex, Hampshire and London.
The counties work in partnership to ensure
an efficient system delivery network to get
the medical supplies to where it is needed
as quickly as possible. The riders always
follow a set route to reduce any delays or in
case of any breakdowns.
For more information about the charity, or if
you would like to volunteer go to
www.serv.org.uk
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07
~G'JGB
Collision statistics show
that some 18% of injuries
sustained by a rider will be
to the head area. In relation
to a pillion, that figure rises
a little, to some 22%.
Since 1973, when wearing a helmet
became compulsory, technology has
advanced in leaps and bounds. Helmets
are primarily designed to protect the brain
first, with skull and facial injury prevention
coming a close second.
There are three principle sections within a
helmet that helps it keep riders safe:
The outer shell: This is designed to resist
penetration and abrasion. This section is
typically made from either polycarbonate
plastic, fibreglass or Kevlar.
The inner shell: The helmets impact
absorbing liner is specifically designed to
slowly collapse under the force of any
impact, spread the force throughout the
material and away from the riders head.
This section is made from expanded
polystyrene or polypropylene EPS foam.
The inner lining: The function of the soft
foam and cloth liner next to your head helps
to keep you comfortable and keep the
helmet fitting snugly around your head.
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The helmet you wear must be marked with
an approved, recognised, standard.
You should look for:
ECE 22.05 these can be identified by a
capital E within a circle along with a six
figure approval number, starting 05
British Standard 6658, A or B these
have a conspicuous sticker applied to
the helmet shell indicating compliance.
The approval marks may be located inside
the helmet either on a sticker underneath
the lining or sewn onto the strap.
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Whether you wear a visor or goggles (Eye
Protector), your eye protection must also
conform to specific standards. You should
look for any of the following:
British Standard approval marks
(4110-X, XA, YA or ZA)
Council Directive 89/686/EEC as
amended (goggles)
ECE Regulation 22.05 (Motor Cycle Eye
Protectors) Regulations 1999 & The
Personal Protective Equipment
(EC Directive) Regulations 2002.)
The Eye Protector will be designed so that
it doesnt shatter into fragments if fractured,
and will be marked shatterproof.
The Eye Protector also needs to let more
than 50% of visible light transmission
through to be legal for road use. Adrian
Short, Forensic Collision Investigator for
Sussex Police, and a committed
motorcyclist himself, comments:
In relation to iridium or dark visors, you will
not know without having it tested whether it
meets such a standard. In my experience of
testing visors following collisions, it is
unlikely that an iridium or dark tinted visor
will pass such a test and therefore it is very
likely to be marked not for road use.
~G'JG CI(G
It is most important that the crash helmet is
cleaned and stored according to the
manufacturers instructions. Most come with
a storage bag in which to keep the helmet.
Store it in a cool darkish place when not in
use, never store near to a heat source, nor
in direct sunlight. A crash helmet will have a
life span of some 3 to 5 years, depending
upon how regularly it is used. The intrusion
of sweat into the lining and shock absorbing
material will gradually degrade those
materials, thereby reducing the protection
performance of the helmet.
08
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In order to be truly effective, a visor needs to
be kept clean, free from dust (which can be
abrasive) and scratches which can impair
your ability to see, especially at night or in
the rain.
Adrian suggests using a clean, soft cloth
and warm soapy water to get rid of most
surface filth, ensuring that the visor is rinsed
first to remove any loose debris.
Non-silicone polish also works well to keep
the visor in top condition after washing.
~G'JG CGC<'IB .
It bears a clearly visible label indicating
ECE type approval
It covers riders forehead and brow
It doesnt move, slip over riders eyes or
put pressure on the riders forehead
Riders peripheral vision should not
be obstructed
The helmet mustnt cause pressure or
impede vision to riders wearing glasses
Most importantly, it must be comfortable
and be correctly fastened
Visit www.sharp.direct.gov.uk for a useful
guide to fitting yourself with a
comfortable, legal, helmet with the
highest standard of impact rating
Thanks to Adrian Short, forensic collision
investigator for Sussex Police for creating
this article.
ICIC 1ICB
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A bike that is serviced regularly and is in
good condition can improve the enjoyment of
your ride. If you have an annoying rattle from
somewhere near the engine, it becomes a
distraction from the road ahead.
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PetrolOil.WaterElectrics.Rubber
(tyres tread depth and pressures). If either
of these is missing from your bike when you
set off, your day will be a little shorter than
you planned.
CGC< G uGIG(
Whilst riding is a pleasurable experience, a
downpour when you are furthest from home
can mean a bleak ride home, if you havent
packed a waterproof layer.
uG uIB G 'IB IJG _Cc (CCG?
If it has been a little while since you last time
you rode, give yourself time to get used to
your bike and the roads.
JI'G JCCCIC CIBICG
Follow the following golden rule: Always be
able to stop on your side of the road in the
distance that you can see to be clear. If you
round a corner to find a large farmyard
animal sat in the middle of the road, it is so
much more reassuring to know that you will
stop before you reach it.
I(CcC (ICIC
Riding with your mates is a good way to
share the experience. When you are in your
groups and following others, base your
manoeuvres on what you can see. If they
overtake, wait till they are clear of the vehicle
and go if it is safe.
JI_ cGCI'
Respect the solid white lines. They have
been put there for a reason and normally
mean that what you think you can see is not
always the whole picture. e.g hidden dips
and local hazards.
IICcG
Riding makes a number of demands on the
biker which are either physical or mental.
Over the course of a day you will become
increasingly tired. This will subsequently
mean a drop in your capabilities as reactions
slow. Include suitable rest stops on your
route to give you time to recover and talk
through the last ride.
ICCIICI' (IIIC
Having successfully passed your motorcycle
test, the law permits you to ride until that
licence expires. Sometimes an incident will
occur which dents the confidence of a rider.
There are a number of training providers that
will help build back your confidence and
increase your skill level. e.g: RoSPA, IAM
and Enhanced Rider Scheme.
CjC_JG
People volunteer to sit astride a powered
two wheeler, mainly because it makes them
smile. Sussex consists of a network of
roads which the biker can experience. Be
safe and enjoy the ride.
09
10
'Stay A Hero, Stay Safe'
on the roads of Sussex
Take beautiful open roads
Add in stunning scenery.
Youve got a recipe for the perfect
motorbike ride.
All of that makes Sussex an attractive
location for riders of all ages and abilities.
However, there is a darker side
motorcyclists, while making up just 1% of
the traffic on the road (according to the
Department For Transport), account for 25%
of all those killed or seriously injured on the
roads in Sussex a massive
over-representation. While there are
undeniably instances where car drivers
dont see bikers, other casualties come
when bikers make errors of judgement.
We know that the vast majority of Sussex
bikers arent risk-taking thrill seekers, Neil
Hopkins, Communications Manager of the
Sussex Safer Roads Partnership says, and
are highly responsible road users.
However, as with any other road user
group, errors of judgement can creep in.
And on a motorcycle, these momentary
errors can have dire consequences.
The SSRP approached Daniel Cox
(Writer/Director of the award-winning
Embrace Life seatbelt campaign) and
Producer Sarah Alexander of Alexander
www.stayahero.co.uk
11
Commercials to create a positive and fresh
campaign made for motorcyclists that aims
to drive down injuries in Sussex.
Stay A Hero, Stay Safe is a celebration of
motorcycling which shows how bikers are
inspirational role models.
The story follows a young boy as he
emulates his biker dads love for riding. The
fresh, positive approach to the film avoids
the shock-tactics of campaigns past,
focusing instead on the joy motorcycling.
Some bikers have felt that authorities, such
as the SSRP, have victimised them in the
past. Our new campaign is designed to be
the complete opposite of this approach,
Neil continues.
We want to be a part of the motorcycling
community, seen as an organisation which
aims to help bikers get the most out of our
county, while remaining safe at the same
time. Were hoping that Stay A Hero, Stay
Safe will carry that message out into the
community and help to save lives on
our roads.
Producer Sarah Alexander commented:
"There are very few adverts out which speak
directly to bikers, we are hoping that 'Stay a
Hero' might fill in some of that gap. Rather
than using fear and gore tactics we have
www.stayahero.co.uk
12
tried to remind bikers of how great it is to
ride while at the same time reminding them
who they are going home to and why they
need to stay safe. We are hoping the mes-
sage will save lives.
Daniel Cox, the writer and creator of Stay A
Hero, Stay Safe, added: "The film looks to
remind bikers to ride safely for both
themselves and their loved ones, and that
they can inspire the next generation to ride
skilfully and safely. Coming from a family of
bike riders I hope the film illustrates the
important contribution bikers make as role
models and how their actions and approach
to riding can directly influence those who
look up to them.
13
What do you think?
The SSRP would love to hear your opinions on Stay A Hero, Stay Safe.
Does it hit the spot with you? Who first inspired you to ride?
How would you like to see the number of motorcycle casualties driven down on our roads?
Let us know either by contributing to the Facebook community page or by email
staysafe@stayahero.co.uk
View, share and comment on Stay A Hero, Stay Safe by visiting: www.stayahero.co.uk
14
(CGCIvG C'CIC
Wearing the right protective clothing whilst riding is just as important as
wearing the correct crash helmet.
Good quality, well maintained clothing can help to substantially reduce the risk of injury in any
collision and may help to save the riders life.
Protective equipment has two basic functions: protection and comfort. Whilst offering the
former function, it should also keep the rider/pillion comfortable in hot, cold or wet weather and
to some degree help to make them visible to other road users. Protective equipment covers
jacket, trousers/jeans, gloves and boots. Additional equipment covered, if it is not an integral
part of the clothing itself, includes body armour, spine/back protectors and kidney belts.
15
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Under European and UK law, all protective
equipment must be approved (and marked
as such) by the Personal Protective
Equipment Directive, in a similar fashion to
crash helmets.
The EC directive states:
"As a general rule, the clothes used by
motorcyclists (which include gloves, boots,
shoes, etc.) are for private use to protect
against the weather: rain, heat and cold.
They should therefore be excluded from the
scope of the PPE Directive (89/686/EEC)
(Annex 1, point 3) However, if the
manufacturer specifically claims, or implies
in sales literature or advertising, that
because of particular additional features
(e.g. elbow pads, knee pads and the like)
this clothing offers special protection, these
additional features alone shall be classed as
PPE and must therefore comply with the
provisions of the Directive.
If the manufacturer claims, or implies in
sales literature or advertising, that the whole
garment provides special protection in
addition to that offered by individual
protectors, the whole garment must comply
with all the essential requirements of
Directive 89/686/EEC."
This Directive was brought into mandatory
legislation for every country in the European
Community in 1995, by which time it had
already been implemented into UK law as a
Statutory Instrument (No 3139) in 1992.
This means that all protective products have
to be tested and approved to the European
Impact Protector Standards EN1621-
4/1997 and prEN1621-2.
Additionally, protective equipment should be
marked with the CE mark this is gained
once the item has been tested, and
approved, by an independent Government
approved test house.
16
Leathers
Leathers are somewhat easier to keep
clean, but special care should be taken with
the stitching. Dirt and grime can eventually
cut through the stitching holding the seam
together, if not regularly cleaned off.
ICG( 'IICcG
The type of clothing that you choose can
have a dramatic effect on how long youre
able to ride safely.
The famed British weather can produce
significant differences in temperature, rain
and comfort even during a single ride.
This can be compounded by constant wind
noise/blast and riding into the evening or
during the night.
Even in relatively warm weather, moving air
is cooler and constant exposure to wind
when riding may cause a chilling effect that
leads to hypothermia (a condition of
subnormal body temperature which can
cause loss of concentration, slowed
reactions, and loss of smooth, precise
muscle movement).
Such a condition could result in a rider
losing his/her ability to concentrate and
react to changing traffic conditions.
Therefore, the clothing has to work
efficiently to keep you either warm or cool. If
the clothing does not achieve either, rider
fatigue can easily set in, whether you are
BG JGG
Wearing the right clothing can also help
riders to be seen on the roads a vital
consideration especially on busy urban
routes. High-visibility clothing is often
referred to as either fluorescent or reflective
but there is a key difference: reflective
materials only work at night when they
reflect light, and fluorescent ones only work
in the daytime. Where possible, try to
ensure that your clothing contains both,
helping you to be seen on the roads at
all times.
JIG(II'B
Motorcyclists often wear leather because it
is durable and abrasion resistant, giving
good protection against injury. Many
modern fabrics, such as Cordura and
ballistic nylon, are also abrasion and / or
wind resistant, waterproof or have
high-visibility properties.
Make sure that whichever type of material
you choose, it fits properly and is comfortable.
A flap of material over the zip of a jacket will
give additional protection against the wind.
Jackets with sleeves tapering to fitted cuffs
and waists are recommended to help keep
wind from blowing into the garment.
C'GIIC
A few hints on how to get the most out of
your protective clothing:
Waterproof clothing
Waterproof clothing will not work efficiently if
the textile material is clogged with dirt. Do
not use detergent to wash waterproof
textiles. Detergent works by attracting water,
and so will work against the waterproofing
materials such as Gore-tex and Hydro-dry.
Use either old fashioned soap flakes or the
special products for cleaning waterproof
clothing, camping shops tend to sell such
products.
17
riding over a long or short period of time.
Multi-layers worn beneath your outer
protective clothing, tend to work far better
than wearing big bulky layers. The sports
type base layers [summer & winter type],
tend to be less expensive than the
motorcycle produced layers and work
just as well.
c(G( I'C(JIIC
The following websites provide some
further information to assist you. The last
two links will illustrate some of the latest
technology and innovation generated within
the Sussex area, in relation to both crash
helmets and protective clothing:
www.direct.gov.uk
Public Services Directory
www.sharp.direct.gov.uk
Sharp Helmet Safety Scheme
www.mcia.co.uk
Motor Cycle
Industry Association
www.planet-knox.com
Knox Protective Equipment
www.roadsafetygb.org.uk/news/920.html
Downloadable pdf guide
www.thermahelm.com
ThermaHelm Halo Helmets
www.haloleathers.com
Halo Leathers
Thanks to Adrian Short, forensic
collision investigator for Sussex Police
for creating this article.
18
19
The Sussex Safer Roads Partnership is
delighted that Ducati UK have decided to
put their weight behind the Stay A Hero
campaign. Over the coming months, not
only will the video be viewable through their
website, but it will also be playing in every
single Ducati dealer in the UK!
The company have a long history in helping
motorcyclists to stay safe whilst getting the
most out of their riding experience. For ten
years now, Ducati has organised the Ducati
Riding Experience in Italy. Providing riding
courses for every level, the main aim is to
teach participants how to maintain better
control over the bike in extreme conditions
and how to avoid potentially dangerous
situations which come up every day.
Common road and track riding situations are
taken into consideration, concentrating on
how to tackle them and putting into practice
specific riding techniques, all under the
supervision of expert Ducati instructors.
All sorts of new features have been
introduced for the new year, the most
exciting being that Troy Bayliss, an icon of
Ducati motorcycle racing, will be among the
DRE instructors. Troy's presence will in fact
be major, thanks to a specific, dedicated
course - the Troy Bayliss Academy, during
which riders will use Ducati 1198 SP.
That's not the only new feature this year. At
DRE 2011 participants will be able to
experience the new 848EVO in the Track I
and II Courses as well as the 1198SP in the
Master Course - taught by the former World
Champion Marco Lucchinelli, oozing
personality and now a DRE mainstay.
Many more champions will be there, too, to
make your experience at DRE 2011 truly
unforgettable. Among them, Alessandro
Polita, Ducati's Italian SBK champion 2010
and World Superstock champion 2006.
Dario Marchetti, will continue in his role
as technical supervisor of the Ducati
riding school.
Ducati also reached an important agreement
with the Italian Motorcycling Federation
(FMI), aimed at offering course participants
an ever-fuller training programme and
transmitting high quality riding techniques.
To further promote all aspects of safety on
two wheels, Ducati has undertaken major
initiatives over the years, such as the
campaign held throughout 2009 which
offered a back protector to everyone who
purchased a new Ducati and distributed
tens of thousands of back protectors all
over Europe.
In 2011 Ducati UK will be launching a Ducati
Rider Training programme where you can
learn to ride on a Ducati, further committing
to their efforts to keep Ducati riders safe on
the road. Keep an eye on
www.Ducatiuk.com for launch details
Its this type of partnership with major
players in the motorcycle community which
the SSRP hopes will take the Stay A Hero
message direct into the hearts and minds of
motorcyclists in Sussex and beyond.
For more information about the Ducati
Riding Experience and indeed the
companys commitment to safety visit their
website: www.Ducatiuk.com
Ducati put their weight behind
20
Gaining your motorcycle licence is just the
start of life on the road, and we recommend
that all riders consider topping up their
training over time. There are a number of
excellent local and national courses
designed to do just that, helping
motorcyclists of all ages and skill levels fine
tune their riding so that they can stay safe
on the roads at all times.
Many of these courses also allow
participants to claim discounts on their
insurance with leading companies.
BI<G JI'G
BikeSafe is a national course, delivered in
Sussex by professional motorcyclists from
Sussex Police and other
SSRP Partners.
The BikeSafe strategy is to engage with
post-test riders in a conflict free environment
to consider and analyse why motorcycle
crashes are happening, including the
attitudinal and motivational issues. There are
fewer causes than you might imagine with
five strong themes emerging throughout the
country. Filtering, junctions, cornering,
overtaking and group riding are the problem
areas. Really obvious things seem to
be placing everyday riders in life
threatening scenarios.
In the classroom, BikeSafe can offer
potential solutions to the most prevalent
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crash causes and thereafter, following an
observed ride element, prepare an individual
rider development report which can be
taken to a post-test training provider.
BikeSafe is about Bridging the Gap into
accredited training.
For more information, visit:
www.bikesafe.co.uk
or call: 0845 60 70 999
DSA - CICGC
ICG( JCGJG
The Driving Standards Agency and
Motorcycle Insurance Industry Association is
designed for fully licensed motorcyclists and
is ideal for those who have just passed their
test, are upgrading to a more powerful bike,
are returning to life on two wheels or riders
who simply want a health check on
their riding.
Trainers have had to prove to the DSA that
they have the necessary skills and
experience to provide quality training to
motorcyclists. The trainers also undergo
regular quality checks to ensure that theyre
maintaining the high standards.
A list of trainers can be found either by
logging onto: www.direct.gov.uk/ERS or
by calling: 0115 936 6546.
IAM - J<I'' 'C( cI'G
Recognising that the majority of collisions
are caused by driver or rider error, the
Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM)
original Advanced Driving Test was
introduced in 1956 with the specific
objective of significantly improving driving
standards. By 1976 the number of
motorcyclists in the UK had risen
dramatically, so the IAM launched the
Advanced Riding test to help make bikers
safer too. The tests are accredited by the
Driving Standards Agency (DSA).
The Advanced Riding Test is not exclusively
about safety, but encourages the rider to
A well run day. Excellent value for money. All
course content very well delivered. All
instructors passionate about bike safety,
more importantly, enjoyment. definitely
(sic) recommend.
21
feel confident on the road, to make good
progress, and to get greater enjoyment from
the experience.
More information can be found on the IAMs
website: www.iam.org.uk
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Both East and West Sussex have active
Advanced Motorcyclist Groups. Each offers
observed rides and access into the IAM, as
well as active social scenes.
WSAMs website: www.wsam.co.uk
ESAMs website: www.es-am.org.uk
RoSPA
ICvICGC ICG(B
The RoSPA (Royal Society for the
Prevention of Accidents) Advanced Drivers
and Riders' aim is to reduce road accidents
by encouraging an interest in road safety
and by improving driving and riding
standards, knowledge and skill. In order to
do this, RoSPA Advanced Drivers and
Riders have over 50 local groups that will
provide free training to help you improve
your riding skills and help you train to
become an advanced rider.
The RoSPA website holds all of the
information that youll need to find out about
this course:
http://www.roada.org.uk/riders/index.htm
23
ICG CcB
Here are just a few of the popular biker
friendly places to meet up in Sussex.
Destination
Triumph
Washington,
West Sussex
RH20 4AJ
Whiteways
Cafe
Bury Hill, Houghton,
Arundel,
West Sussex
BN18 9FD
P&H
Motorcycles
61-63 Gatwick Road
Crawley,
West Sussex
RH10 9RD
The Chalet Cafe
Henfield Rd
Cowfold,
Horsham
RH13 8DU
Riverside Cafe
and Bistro
Houghton Bridge,
Amberley,
West Sussex
BN18 9LP
Alf's Motorcycles
100 Dominion Road
Worthing
West Sussex
BN14 8JP
24
Willow Cafe
Lower Dicker,
East Sussex,
Hailsham
BN27 4BT
Shaws
Harley Davidson
( on a saturday )
Holmes Hill House
Holmes Hill,
East Sussex
BN8 6JA
kentsussexbikers.com
The Strand
Quay Cafe
30 Wish St,
Rye,
East Sussex
TN31 7DA
Wessons Cafe
High St
Heathfield, East
Sussex
TN21 0ER
The
Madeira Cafe
on Brighton Seafront
15-16 Madeira Drive
Brighton
BN2 1PS
The Six Bells
Chiddingly,
Lewes,
East Sussex
BN8 6HT