Dear Paul & Colin,

I am writing to thank you both for the Bikesafe. I have been riding and driving for over thirty years and had come to the idea that there would be little to gain from advanced training, this is incorrect. I learned many new things to practice and gained an interest in continual development of my riding.

As a direct consequence of Bikesafe participation, I have undertaken further training and last week gained a RoSPA Bronze. I would like to use this opportunity to also say that I think it is brilliant that the Metropolitan Police so enthusiastically share their superb riding skills and knowledge of London’s unique traffic conditions. What I learned from your skills day you has clearly contributed to my rapid advancement.

I attended the Rider Skills Day at the Warren on 9 August. The enthusiasm, patience and professionalism of the team contributed to a most valuable and worthwhile day. Their pragmatic, commonsense approach was a credit to them both as instructors and as police officers. As one of the more 'mature' members my belief that you are never too old to learn was well reinforced. I will have no hesitation in recommending the Rider Skills Day, no matter the rider's experience.

Patrick

Colin,

I came along on 16.06.2008 for my Bikesafe course at The Ace Cafe and again wanted to express my thanks for a fantastic day. Hopefully I learnt something from you (or rather picked up a few pointers from my assessed rides) and have every intention of doing further training.

Aside from the obvious benefits of your course I can't say how impressed I was with you and your colleagues. Your enthusiasm and professionalism are a credit to yourselves and the service as a whole. This is without doubt one of the best PR events I have come across and more importantly saves lives in to the bargain. I shall make a point of spreading the word (but now that I'm married I'm not allowed smelly, oily, drunk biker friends !! )

It was a great day, my course consisted of all sorts, from ratty Bandit owners to V Rod and sports bike riders most of whom I had the opportunity to speak to during the day. They all seemed full of praise and I heard nothing but positive comments about the course and the quality of the instructors. Many of those present seemed pleasantly surprised that you were "proper bikers " and not just Old Bill in a yellow jacket and as such had to re visit their pre conceived ideas of us as an organisation.

You seem to have pitched the course at just the right level not only pointing out how to stay safe but also how to get the most enjoyment out of biking.

In this age of chasing detections and targets it made a refreshing change for me to see cops interacting with people without thinking about performance indicators.......WELL DONE. I could go on for pages...

Martin Walkerdine

I attended the Bikesafe day at the Ace Cafe on the 30th September on what was probably the "soggiest" day of the year, but despite the weather the day was fantastic. The instructors were all keen, enthusiastic, and very informative (as well as being good company). Many thanks for a really enjoyable day and for proving that no matter how long you've been riding you never stop learning.

Thanks, Tim Rampling

I had a wonderful enjoyable day, full of information gathering on the technical aspects of riding under different road conditions and types of road, but had lots of fun riding the different types of roads. (Country Roads, a first for me).

I knew riding a bike means freedom and fun, but just realised how much fun, under an instructive and controlled manner.

THANKS AGAIN!!

Regards

I would really strongly recommend this to any biker, I used to ride 20 years ago and am just getting back into it and at the time didn’t have the benefit of any such courses. It’s £30 extremely well spent and personally I felt quite cool out with the police bikes (without the lights flashing in my mirrors).

We all picked up some really valuable tips and confirmed a few rules I wasn’t really sure about. The lunch was great and in between some of the more serious parts of the presentations and footage in the class we saw some real fun stuff too. I can really say these guys are really bikers that happen to be cops and just want people alive and getting the most out of their bikes - not a bad thing !

I spoke to some of the lads on the big bikes and even the hardened bikers seemed to get a lot out of it, as it wasn’t just about riding “text book” style but also some invaluable guidance on getting the most out of your machines in the twisties etc. A lot of the instructors race bikes on all of Europe’s major circuits and seem to have something to say……

Also we spent a good few hours in the saddle so it’s not just presentations, on the contrary biking really dominated the day and 2 ½ hours doing the country lanes just in the afternoon alone seemed a pretty reasonable cruise. It was also either 1 on 1 or 1 on 2 so super ratios with everyone alternating taking the lead. They seemed flexible at all times saying it was our day so if you wanted to do more “in town” traffic stuff it was really up to you.

I have just put some money down and a virtually new Triumph Sprint ST (oh dear !) and subject to passing my test before Xmas will be off and running. I will make 100% sure to try out a day at the Ace Café as soon as I get the big bike as I know there is also a wealth of “bigger bike” advice that will be relevant. In the meantime it’s sitting in a dealership in Clapham ….sigh

All in all 10 out of 10 and actually great to know motorcycle police better, it’s a brilliant day and I picked up enough things to make me feel a lot more confident and consequently enjoying biking a lot more.

A special thanks to the poor officer who was unfortunate enough to be the last to leave in the car park and dealing with all my questions about what bikes he liked and why + what he thought I should move to as a bigger bike. Again super advice and to be honest well out of the remit of the programme on the day so cheers !

Good stuff and thanks to all the team.

Adam

Letter Of Appreciation

Just thought I’d drop you a line and give you some proper feedback following my attending Bikesafe on 17 May 2003 at the Ace Cafe. Filling out a questionnaire is ok but sometimes it’s a rush job and everyone normally ticks the 'right' boxes.

Anyway I thought it was a great idea, as like many bikers I haven't bothered with any training since passing my bike test.

Thanks for your input on my riding style and pointers to make me a better & safer rider. I enjoyed the whole day? Strange experience having a police bike follow you whilst 'progressing' and no flashing lights!

I will try the country road riding technique when I get a chance and may well follow up your suggestion of further training. I might even try the Advanced Test? Something I've been considering over the last few years.

Although some of the things covered was common sense like planning ahead, hazard awareness, riding smoothly, I was intrigued to see whether the content of the day would make a difference or whether I would end up reverting back to the old riding style.

A week has passed and hopefully some good habits are sticking. Firstly I have stopped undertaking the 2nd & 3rd lane owners club in the usual spot on the way home no matter how frustrating it still is. Secondly I have refrained from sitting ahead of the white line at traffic lights despite occasional 'pressure' from behind (other motorcyclists).

I’m also more conscious of my road positioning and pay more attention when filtering. In addition, I've made a conscious effort to keep my speed down in residential areas.

For the first few days going past lamp posts, bus shelters etc reminded me of the case studies and how vulnerable you can be to serious injury, if you make a mistake. Whilst some people may not agree that the content was appropriate, I think 'shock' tactics work? Well they do with me anyway.

I’ve even discussed with friends if they come across an accident, whether to remove a motorcyclist’s crash helmet or not and explained the correct method of removal by providing a neck brace with your hands etc (as demonstrated regularly in Casualty).

It was also refreshing to see that motorcycle police are not necessarily a biker's 'enemy' they are just fellow bike enthusiasts doing their job.

Whilst you may have different view on 'rideouts', I attended my first one -a SV650 rideout on Sunday to Box Hill. It was quite educational? It was well organised and they were not all speed freaks. It was a steady enjoyable ride with a mixture of road types and speed limits etc. It gave me the opportunity to practice some country lane riding / bend management etc, which I don’t get a chance to do when commuting. Although I might need more practice, I think I'm getting better and safer.

Even my girlfriend, who sometimes goes on the back, has noticed a difference, so Bikesafe must have had a positive influence on me.

Anyway I hope you continue to receive good feedback and hopefully the number of accidents involving motorcyclists will reduce in the future.

Thanks again

SV650S rider

Nick Page

A.D. Chelsea and Fulham HOG

It was a great day, worth every penny. The police guys were a top-notch bunch of humans, very amusing and hugely talented riders. They came across as motorcyclists who happen to be police officers too.

I hope the scheme continues as this morning I nearly got wiped out by a twist-n-go loony as the lights turned to amber from red, not unusual in London these days, they are more of a danger than most of the cars.

I will advise my friends as to what a great day it was.

Thanks again.

Matt Binnie

BikeSafe Team,

I'd just like to say a big thank you for the course I attended yesterday. Not only was the route of the run an excellent choice, I also found the day extremely interesting and informative, proving there's always something else to learn and another view to consider. I would regard the day as a vital tool in accident prevention and excellent value.

Please pass on my thanks to Keith for his input and feedback, and congratulations on putting together the whole project.

Good luck for the future!