jefformston
Registered user
Re Police Scotland and offsiding. First, I think the mini roundabout example.given by Tractors may be a bit confusing. A better example might be adopting a position on the other carriageway to maximise view or straighten a series of bends. I think the reason for the advice is largely "political" and to do with the fact that Scotland is inundated every year with fly drive tourists and bikers from abroad. Consequently, there are fatalities every year from "wrong side" errors plus native bikers who "offside" and get it badly wrong. For PS to endorse a practice which might make matters worse is simply a non starter and since IAM examiner cadre is still dominated by Police or ex Police, there you have it. You can argue all you like about "thinking riders" but the buck has to stop somewhere and PS have ensured that no one can lay it at their door. I always give the IAM / PS line to associates after explaining as above and make the point that unless they are 100% certain the road is clear, the benefits of offsiding are far outweighed by the potential cost. We are not cats after all ...
I read these comments re 'off siding' etc with interest, I'm not an IAM observer or examiner so I only have my personal opinion, but when I ride, curves are what I enjoy so why straighten them? Yes if I really needed to make progress and get from A to B in as short a timeframe as possible, i.e. emergency services, but as a leisure rider, unless it's wet etc and straight lining makes it safer why not just enjoy the curves. I ride over Hartside regularly and sometimes follow other bikes off the top heading towards Penrith and see them straighten out the bends, I'm making just as much progress following three curves but I bet I enjoy my ride more than they do.