Bikesafe - far fewer locations???

Seen a group leaving Poole ferry port area yesterday at just after 13:00.

I have been meaning to do the course for many years, just keep slipping my mind.
Ev, Have you thought about RoSPA or AIM?

I did my RoSPA around 8 years ago, and glad I did. I wouldn't say I'm any quicker or slower but I certainly 'plan' better than before.

I also did my AIM a few years ago with the Herts and Beds group, they're quite active. My instructor (for both) was Stephanie, haven't spoken for a few years but assume she is still there.

She's really good and doesn't get defensive if you challenge/question her opinion.

 
Ev, Have you thought about RoSPA or AIM?

I did my RoSPA around 8 years ago, and glad I did. I wouldn't say I'm any quicker or slower but I certainly 'plan' better than before.

I also did my AIM a few years ago with the Herts and Beds group, they're quite active. My instructor (for both) was Stephanie, haven't spoken for a few years but assume she is still there.

She's really good and doesn't get defensive if you challenge/question her opinion.

Good shout Nigel. Definitely something to look into. Thank you.
 
BikeSafe is hugely popular in South Wales with the force being one of the few that use civilian riders to support the road rides.

The next step is the DVSA Enhanced Rider Scheme with courses being run by local authorities. Some have Teams theory sessions on a Wednesday evening then a practical road ride. The main difference is the instructor will use comms to give directions and feedback.

The courses are delivered free of charge by most authorities. Neath Port Talbot charge £20 for the day, their theory session is held in person from 9 til 12 with a 2:1 road ride until 5pm

Have a search for Dragon Rider Wales.

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The next step is the DVSA Enhanced Rider Scheme with courses being run by local authorities. Some have Teams theory sessions on a Wednesday evening then a practical road ride. The main difference is the instructor will use comms to give directions and feedback.

The courses are delivered free of charge by most authorities. Neath Port Talbot charge £20 for the day, their theory session is held in person from 9 til 12 with a 2:1 road ride until 5pm
Is the Enhanced Rider Scheme (ERS) the next step after BikeSafe? Or is that situation specific to Wales?

I didn’t know that ERS courses were still going. However, I live in England; perhaps it’s better in Wales.
 
In reality the next step after passing your test is any type of post test training (if you want it) In Wales it tends to be BikeSafe which is a classroom session followed by an observed ride and feedback.

The Dragon Rider courses are classroom session followed by a road ride with instruction or live pointers.

You can search for an ERS instructor on the .Gov website, we are all over the UK. I'm not sure if any English local authorities off the same schemes though.

If you aren't too far over the bridge you attend, we've had a few come from away.

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Is the Enhanced Rider Scheme (ERS) the next step after BikeSafe? Or is that situation specific to Wales?

I didn’t know that ERS courses were still going. However, I live in England; perhaps it’s better in Wales.
As far as I understand it... the Enhanced Rider Scheme is usually the one offered by motorcycle training schools... My local one provide it... £200 for 4 hrs according to their price list. I think I heard somewhere though, that if you want to do something like Blood Biking... the ERS is not accepted. No idea why, or even if that's true.
 
In Wales Blood Bikes will accept an ERS pass with all green across 7 modules, you then go on to be assessed by their own assessor.

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As far as I understand it... the Enhanced Rider Scheme is usually the one offered by motorcycle training schools... My local one provide it... £200 for 4 hrs according to their price list. I think I heard somewhere though, that if you want to do something like Blood Biking... the ERS is not accepted. No idea why, or even if that's true.
It is true for nearly all Blood Bike groups, according to the Blood Bike Wales website, they are the same, but obviously if they accept ERS it is probably to help as they can't get enough volunteers with advanced qualifications.

The majority of Blood Bike Groups are a members of the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes, for a group to be a member, they should agree to the standards, which stipulate all groups having advanced riders. There are other acceptable advanced riding qualifications (or there were) NABB isn't a governing body, just for guidance and groups voluntarily adhere to the standards set out or not.

Our group, you have to have an IAM pass or a RoSPA pass at silver or gold that is for riders and car drivers. Everyone has to be reassessed every 3 years.

Enhanced Rider, a 4 hour course is a great stepping stone, but doesn't equate to the tutoring or coaching over a period of time, then an advanced test pass.
 
Yep, agree with all of that. TBH, if you can spare the time commitment, it's hard to ignore the value of going down the full IAM or RosPA advanced route. It works out significantly cheaper than paying for sufficient odd days with a training school and feedback is usually pretty positive about the benefits.
 
So being a blue light driver (in my case EFAD) is not sufficient to ride for blood bikes? A civilian assessment is required?
 
Bloodbike riders come from all walks. Irrespective of qualifications, an initial check ride on a liveried bike plus mandatory 3 yr reassessments are the requirements when joining. You should have no problems so it isn’t really an issue. There are plenty of adv riders who’ve not had any assessments for years so its really just yo ensure everyone currently meets the standards required.
 
The Met have stopped doing BikeSafe? Wow! Quite coincidently, I was talking to a guy this morning over coffee who had been on the Met BikeSafe team for 10 years.
 
So being a blue light driver (in my case EFAD) is not sufficient to ride for blood bikes? A civilian assessment is required?
Probably depends on the BB group. Following from the group I ride/drive for:


  1. Current recognised advanced riding certificates are IAM & RoSPA. Other professional riding qualifications such as Police or Ambulance, DSA Instructor or emergency services equivalent) will be considered but must have been passed or re-assessed within 3 years prior to your initial NBB assessment.’
Riders & Drivers are also re-assessed every 12 months internally within the group by an authorised assessor.
 


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