He rode for a year, as he had to sign an agreement with his mother that he would sell the bike on his 17th birthday. He enjoyed the freedom of the open road, albeit at 30mph and experienced his only (touch wood) accident when the throttle stuck open and he caught his foot in the back wheel. Sitting in A&E he learnt a valuable lesson – always wear boots!

A parent enforced absence followed until January 1992 when he bought his first ‘big bike’ – a Suzuki GS500 (awesome). The power was amazing and he thought he would never be able to handle it. Three months later he bought his first CBR600……!

Since then he has had many bikes, Three CBR 600s, A Yamaha Super Tenere, Kawasaki Scorpion 250 (pile of poop), Fazer 600, VFR 400 and a CB500. He has been fortunate enough to have had 6 bikes in the garage at one time including an RSV Mille and an early R1. He currently owns a Honda Blackbird.

Paul rides in most weathers and believes there is no such thing as being cold or wet, its just you are wearing the wrong equipment. He has been on many track days and is fortunate to have access to his old CBR600 that has been turned into a race bike. He wishes he could get his knee down, but that particular skill remains illusive.

He rides abroad whenever he can and has covered most of France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and Andorra on two wheels. The Blackbird is made to ‘munch miles’ and he enjoys the company of like minded petrol heads when he is touring.

His worst biking moment has got to be when the snow came a few years ago. His bike was outside under a cover as he had a borrowed new R1 in the garage. His wife came into the room and mentioned “Oh, I forgot to tell you, your bike fell over yesterday”. He rushed outside to find that the wind had caught the bike (as it was near the wall) and due to the weight of the snow on the cover, the bike had fallen on its side. He picked it up, using that immense strength you get when you are angry, only to find that is was smashed to bits!

His best biking moment was riding through several of the mountain passes in Switzerland with his friends. Occasionally travelling at speeds in excess of 70mph but don’t tell anyone. Pushing the Blackbird so hard that the front wheel was lifting out of the hairpins and breaking so hard he thought his wrists would snap. Fantastic views (1000ft drops certainly focus the mind), awesome roads, fine food, fine beer and no police in sight – fabulous!

His ideal bike is the Blackbird – boring I know – but if funds and garage space ever became available he would add a Honda Africa Twin, a Harley Fatboy, a Tuono 1000R and a newer Blackbird to his stable.

Paul is a Class One Police Advanced driver, police motorcyclist, a member and examiner for the Institute of Advanced Motorists. He is a RoSPA Diploma holder in Advanced Motorcycle Instruction, a RoSPA Examiner and he is one of only 8 people who teach the RoSPA Diploma course from Birmingham. He has the portfolio for BikeSafe-London and is totally committed to reducing casualties within the motorcycling community.

PC Colin Paris

Colin Paris the good looking one on the team (he says). has been a serving Police Officer for the last 18 years, 5 of those in Traffic Division and the last 3 years as a member of BikeSafe London Team.

In his spare time he is a keen golfer as well as a life long Arsenal supporter. But his real hobby/love is his Silver dream machine, his Triumph Sprint ST 1050cc. He uses it for travelling to and from work and when he can touring. Colin tries to get at least 3 trips a year if he can, one to Bikers Retreat in North Wales where apart from a gorgeous route to and from and whilst you're there Colin says, you are superbly looked after by the owners. Then 2 foreign trips this year hopefully Belgium and Switzerland.

Colin says "If you have not yet gone abroad on a bike then this has to be put on your things to do list. I leave you with one final thought: If you have not yet been on BikeSafe and you want fun, excitement, good company and food, then this is also one for the list. Take care and see you at the Ace Cafe or The Warren".

PC Keith Johnson

Keith started his riding career at the early age of 6 years old Off road riding and Enduro. He passed Motorcycle Riding test Whilst Serving in the Army in 1978 on BSA B40.

During Army career, served with Royal Signals Motorcycle Display team "The White Helmets" and toured all over Europe with the team doing shows.

Bikes owned include BSA B40, CCM 500,OSSA 250 Trial bike, Triumph 750 Tiger. Kawasaki GPZ750r. Honda VFR 800. Honda CBR1100 Blackbird.

Tries to get away on tour at least twice a year.
Best places to visit France, Switzerland, Spain.
Travels about 25,000 miles a year on the bike.

Worst biking moment getting knocked off Police bike twice (hit from behind) at the same pedestrian crossing whilst stationary in 3 month period. Luckily it was not the same car driver.

Best bike in the world's got to be the Honda Blackbird. Its Ideal for touring Europe.

Believes he has the balance right when it comes to hobbies, wife owns a horse -"I don't ride her horse, she doesn't ride my bike".

Qualifications include ROSPA (dip) Member IAM. Police advanced driver/rider.

PC Paul Stacey

Paul's motorcycling career started as soon as his feet could touch the footpegs of his dads BMW R65. At 14 years old he was given a 50cc Puch. Much to the annoyance of local residents, this was ridden every day until dark in the woods at the end of their gardens.

Born into a motorcycling life his father never had less than six bikes in the garage at one time.

When considered responsible enough Paul was allowed to share them to take part in Vintage trials events (250cc Cotton) and Vintage Grass Track and Hill climb events (500cc Jawa, 350cc AJS).

Alas, aged 16 Paul joined the Army and had no access to bikes except for the occasional play when on leave. Seven years later he changed career and joined the Metropolitan Police. This was his cue to get his first road bike (GPZ500s), there was no way he was sitting in traffics jams in and out of London. The bug was back and bored of the GPZ he bought a ZZR600. This served a good term and introduced him to track days and touring. His most bizarre moment on this bike was being knocked off whilst stationary at traffic lights by a jogger, apparently he didn't see him and jogged straight into the side of him, knocking the bike over!

Once in the Police the obvious move was into Traffic to get on Police bikes. He passed the solo course and is also a Class 1 Advanced driver.

Paul now owns a Suzuki GSX1400 and a 1984 Kawasaki GPZ900r (project bike). He goes touring whenever he can, covering most of the UK and has visited South of France, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium and hopefully many more to come. He tries to squeeze the occasional track day in between and believes they are a must for anybody riding on the road.

He was devastated when his last bike, a Kawasaki ZX-9R Ninja was stolen from outside his house, however it was recovered and repaired. Luckily the thieves couldn't get around the immobiliser and didn't get it started. Shame about the no claims bonus though!

As well as bikes Paul took up golf a couple of years ago, although having just moved house it seems his main pastime is DIY.

Best biking moment was his first track day at Brands Hatch, worst biking moment was a chain snapping on the first session on a track day at RAF Odiham.

Favourite UK biking road is the B4425 between Burford and Cirencester. Would like a KTM 950 Supermoto as an extra toy in the garage.

His qualifications include RoADA (Dip.) IAM member.