Back to Biking!
It’s not just bikes that rust and decay if not maintained, your skills as a
biker do too…
Although bikers represent less than one per cent of all road traffic, they
suffer 18 per cent of all deaths and serious injuries on our roads, and are 45
times more likely to be killed on the road than car drivers. Factors that may
position you on the statistics tables include:
How long did it take you to become as skilled as you were before you stopped
riding? How long have you been away from biking?
Experienced riders have higher levels of concentration than new riders. Regular
riding keeps this concentration exercised, along with the physical skills of
riding a bike. The longer the time away from the bike, the more your
concentration and biking skills will be dulled.
What changes to motorcycles, roads, and traffic behaviour have occurred in
the past few years – how is biking different now?
Today's bikes are technologicaly very advanced, using lighter materials,
powerful engines, large radial tyres, and disc brakes. Even over five years,
advances in performance, handling and braking are huge. Road systems have
undergone significant re-engineering or design in the past ten years, requiring,
at times, enhanced skills in reading the road safely and efficiently, whilst
dealing with high traffic volumes.
How long have been riding since you re-started?
New riders, and riders returning to biking are particularly vulnerable, and many
will suffer accidents in their first two weeks of riding.
What can you do?
Don't learn the hard way - the school of hard knocks can be a very painful way
to learn and in some cases you don't graduate. If it's a long time since you
rode a bike, call us. We can arrange an initial assessment by an advanced
instructor of your current skills and (possibly) areas of weakness, and then
suggest a short course to get you back up to speed on a modern bike. Your course
will be tailored specifically for you, and if you wish we can include a free LCC
Road Safety Partnership assessment at its conclusion.