Community news
Events and campaigns
Find out about recent and upcoming events and campaigns supported by the BikeSafe and ScooterSafe Teams.
Staff from BMW Motorrad UK have successfully completed a day's riding assessment with the team at BikeSafe London. Attending the day were 17 riders from across BMW Motorrad's departments including marketing, aftersales and finance. Also joining in were BMW Motorrad's press and PR team from Jardine International.
Adrian Roderick, BMW Motorrad UK general manager, said: "BikeSafe is a fantastic initiative - and one which the motorcycle industry in the UK is right behind. All but one of the BMW Motorrad UK team rides motorcycles, which we're very proud of. We offer all our staff the opportunity to get their licence through BMW Rider Training if they don't already have it.
"As a manufacturer, BMW Motorrad supports BikeSafe but we thought that the opportunity for the team to attend the course and experience it for themselves was too good to miss. Everyone from the recently passed riders to the lifelong motorcyclists enjoyed the day - and took home advice which they can use to improve their riding."
The day-long BikeSafe course started with an informal classroom briefing. Police motorcyclists ran through the basics of safe, defensive riding before offering advice on some of the more advanced aspects of motorcycling including filtering, forward planning and road positioning. The day moved on to a two-part ride through both urban and rural surroundings, giving the police riders a chance to assess the riding styles and techniques of the attendees.
The BMW Motorrad UK staff rode a selection of 2011 BMW motorcycles, from the S 1000 RR supersports machine through to the entry-level G 650 GS adventure sports bike. Starting from BikeSafe London's base at London Gateway Services, near Enfield, the staff split into pairs and heading off on ride-outs with their assigned police riders.
Following the ride-outs, participants are given a short assessment by their officer, a written report and offered tips and advice on simple but effective ways to improve their riding. Additionally, the BikeSafe team pass on information about the different options for moving on to post-test and advanced rider training and informed that many motorcycle insurers offer a 10% discount to riders who have completed a BikeSafe course.
Sergeant Paul Mostyn, Motorcycle Tasking Team, said: "The idea behind BikeSafe is to bridge the gap between the motorcycle test pass and formalised further training with the IAM, RoSPA or the Enhanced Rider Scheme, run by the DSA. We also offer some advice on riding styles and, of course, enjoy a great day's riding.
"We'd like to thank BMW Motorrad for coming to ride with the BikeSafe Team. We hope that each and every motorcyclist who joins us here learns something from riding with us and, as a result, will be a better and, more importantly, safer rider in the future. We also hope that some of those completing the course will be inspired to engage in advanced training to further improve their riding."
BikeSafe initiatives are operated by more than 30 police forces across the country and the typical cost is around lb35 which includes lunch. For more information visit www.bikesafe.co.uk.
BMW Motorrad UK offers training for the practical motorcycle test as well as advanced rider training and the opportunity to take the RoSPA advanced riding test through BMW Rider Training in South Wales. For more information call 08000 131 282 or visit www.worldofbmw.com
For more information on BMW Motorrad Motorcycles and services visit www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk
National Ride to Work Day is taking place this year on Monday 20 June, forming part of International Ride to Work Day. This is a great opportunity for motorbike and scooter riders to demonstrate the enjoyment and benefits of life on two wheels!
Why not play a part in the day and encourage friends and colleagues to take part too, by holding a bikers breakfast, or similar event at your work place. For ideas on how to take part or run your own event visit www.ridetoworkday.co.uk
The Moto Guzzi eagle has landed on the BikeSafe-London team with the arrival of a fully equipped Italian Carabinieri Police specification Moto Guzzi Norge 1200.
With its "Polizia" markings and "Italian Job" siren it certainly cuts a dash in London traffic and brings a sprinkle of Italian flair to the streets of the capital.
Kindly loaned by Piaggio UK (the owners of the Moto Guzzi brand) and supplied from Haywards in Cambridge (www.haywards.co.uk) the bike will be used for shows and BikeSafe-London Rider Skills Days.
The Norge is Moto Guzzis touring bike. It has a 90 degree V-twin, air cooled, 4 stroke engine producing a very healthy 92BHP at 7,250 rpm. Fully faired with panniers it weights 244kg and is very usable as a Police bike around town due to its low seat height and narrow fairing. The fairing however is very effective at motorway cruising speeds and keeps the elements at bay. The panniers are cavernous and will take a full face helmet. A real alternative to its German counterpart.
So if you fancy attending a BikeSafe-London Rider Skills Day with the team and would like to be followed by a piece of Italian exotica, stopping at Frankie and Bennies for penne pasta and a latte then book on line now.
Kate Birbeck PC 750TD
BikeSafe-London (North Team)
Lambeth College in Vauxhall recently held an educational talk for 30 students studying on the automotive engineering course. The talk was presented by the Met’s Motorcycling Tasking Team and covered ScooterSafe-London and BikeSafe-London Rider Skills Days, legislation regarding the riding of scooters and the work of the Traffic Operational Command Unit (OCU).
PC Ian Burchell said “A large part of our work is casualty reduction. As part of the ScooterSafe-London and Bikesafe-London initiative, is to engage with riders, to try to change their attitudes to risk taking. When talking to the students, many of whom are new scooter riders and some even car drivers, we are trying to instil good habits from the start of their time on London’s roads, which I believe can only be of benefit to all road users in the long term.”
The talk was organised with John Ryan, course tutor, who commented afterwards, “I want to thank the officers for an excellent presentation this morning here at Lambeth College. I have not seen my students so quiet and engrossed during a presentation for quite some time. I also enjoyed it and learned a few things too.”
Future talks are being organised at the colleges Lambeth and Clapham sites.
Do you know an organisation that would benefit from a talk from the Motorcycle Tasking Team, if so contact us by using the contact form on the home page.
When the Motorcycle Tasking Team isn't running BikeSafe days it can be found carrying out Traffic Patrol work which involves inspecting both motorcycle and rider's documents to ensure that s/he is legally allowed on the road.
A frequent offence is motorcyclist riding 'other than in accordance with a licence'. The majority of which are committed by provisional licence holders either failing to display "L" plates or carrying a pillion. Both carry a £60 fine, 3 penalty points and the very real possibility of having the bike seized.
The Motorcycle Tasking Team played a pivotal role in the Virgin London Marathon which took place on 25th April 2010.
Starting at 5am they piloted the elite and elite disabled athletes in two convoys of London buses by eight marked police motorcycles and a traffic car. The safe passage of this convoy may have tested officers' skills to the full, but all the elite athletes arrived on Blackheath in good time for the start.
In addition the Tasking Team involved escorting the runners' baggage in vehicles from Blackheath to The Mall. Would have been an easy task if it had just been a column of transit vans - but the runners' red bags requires a fleet of 34 articulated lorries. This was another well timed convoy with the runners re-united with their bags at the end of the 26 mile jog!
The Motorcycle Tasking team has been asked to evaluate the new Piaggio MP3 Hybrid scooter. This is new for motorcycles and is bringing the technology from hybrid cars into bikes.
Four partner cities in Europe are currently evaluating the MP3 as part of the eSum (European Safer Urban Motorcycling) project. These being Paris, Rome, Barcelona and London, and will provide real-world testing back to Piaggio for the different city environments.
Hosted by South Yorkshire Police, the national BikeSafe motorcycle show returns to the Sheffield Arena on Saturday and Sunday 12/13 June 2010 and it's completely free.
With over 100 exhibitors, stunt riders and lots of family attractions there is something for every motorcycle and scooter enthusiast - especially as every rider will have an opportunity to take a free 45-minute ride-out with an advanced police motorcyclist.
Find out more...visit www.bikesafeshow.co.uk
PC Ian Burchell from the London BikeSafe team recently gave a short presentation on BikeSafe Rider Skills Days to this influential committee and finished off with a request for support and publicity from the group and Bexley Council.
In response, Mike Summerskill committee secretary said "consultative committee members recognize BikeSafe as an excellent, extremely worthwhile initiative and we will be following up his request for publicity and other help from the Council."
Officers from the BikeSafe team recently talked to a class of 16-18 year olds studying Automotive and Motorcycle Engineering at Kingston College. Presenting a wide range of topics on safer scooter riding like, what is a motorcycle; what is a road; what are the penalties associated with illegal or anti social riding and the consequences of crashing when not wearing appropriate clothing.
Over 30,000 leaflets encouraging riders to take a ScooterSafe-London rider skills day have been distributed across London. The Transport for London campaign asks riders to take extra care as the days grow longer and evenings get lighter. The campaign also reminds riders to check the roadworthiness of their scooters and consider the condition of their motorcycle clothing and helmet.
The Department for Transport's latest campaign aims to improve the safety of motorcyclists. The 'Named Riders' TV and radio adverts asks drivers to look out for motorcyclists next time they're out driving. Motorcyclists are also asked to take steps to manage and reduce their own personal risk. The attached leaflet advises riders to steer clear of second hand gear and includes special offers on protective gear.
BikeSafe Officers teamed up with Enfield Council's Road Safety Team and the London Ambulance Service to offer motorcycle safety advice in Enfield Town Centre. Everyone who registered their interest in a BikeSafe or ScooterSafe Rider Skills Day will be entered into a draw to win a free course.
The BikeSafe Team joined over 150 exhibitors at this classic London venue. A Suzuki GSXR1000, kindly provided by Premier Motorcycles, proved popular with visitors to the BikeSafe stand.
Excel Exhibition Centre, London
Thousands of visitors attended the Excel motorcycle show, resulting in over 750 sign ups for BikeSafe Rider Skills Days. The BikeSafe stand's giant reaction tester provided a little competition and amusement for visitors.
