Initial Rider Training (IRT) is the key element to motorcycling. Recent publications and reviews tell us that wearing an airbag, having a gadget to inform you that there is another vehicle approaching as well as other warning signals and technology may improve your chances of survival. There is also mention of post licence training to hone your skills. But there is almost no reference to initial rider training. In its wisdom (?) the European Union gave member states the option of testing or training for novice riders in order to get their A2 licence when the 3rd Driving … [Read more...]
Buddhism and Safety II
Thailand – Our thanks to Carol at Thai Safe Rider for letting us post this article that looks at road safety and motorcycle training in Asia, specifically in Thailand, from a differing point of view. The approach looks at philosophy in order to work with Asian cultural beliefs to be applied to improve the road safety situation, other than current suggested approaches, to achieve far greater results. Buddhism and Safety II - Road safety across much of Asia is based on compliance approaches that do little to understand the core beliefs and cultural challenges found on … [Read more...]
Full Kontroll – Full Control
Norway - "Full Kontroll" - Full Control a book from the Nowegian riders organisation - Norsk Motorcykkel Union - NMCU - which looks at the overall perspective of how to become a good rider has moved from its paper and downloadable pdf versions to a series of films on Youtube Although the films are only available in Norwegian at this time, the Full Control book - is available in English - updated in 2013 - the book is written by motorcyclists and includes sections that assess the road, traffic, motorcycles, equipment and accessories. The language is clear and easy to … [Read more...]
SKIDBIKE – “It’s About Grip Not Slip”
United States - Popping up in our news feed recently, are reports of the technological and practical motorcycling training aid – the SKIDBIKE™ described as a “Disruptive Training Technology”, revolutionising the rider learning process. The people at SKIDBIKE™ say that it, “Is the safest technology ever offered in the history of motorised 2‐wheel training. Many accidents that occur on training ranges across the globe daily can be prevented or eliminated with SKIDBIKE. Not only does it make motorcycle training safer, but also reduces the required time commitment for student … [Read more...]
Government Recognition For Off Road Training
Scotland - It has been a while at Motorcycle Minds since we “dabbled” in the art of riding away from metalled roads to off-road surfaces, in fact it has been a couple of decades. If you are the same as us and want to hone some of your on road riding skills or simply some fun and exhilaration then taking a course with MotoScotland could be for you. MotoScotland have recently announced that they managed to secure Government recognition for off road training by both the Department For Transport and the Driver Vehicle Standards Agency! For the very first time in the UK, off … [Read more...]
No Surprise – No Accident
United Kingdom – “All accidents are the result of prediction failure. Surprise is Nature’s way of telling us we have experienced such a failure. If there is no surprise, there can be no accident” The aim of the ‘No Surprise? No Accident!’ campaign is to reduce the number of motorcycle crashes by shifting the way we think about road safety. No Surprise? No Accident! argues that we need new and original thinking to tackle old problems, a new paradigm for motorcycle safety. Take the time to read through the article below. At times it may seem a bit heavy going but to … [Read more...]
Biker Down – Knowing What To Do!
United Kingdom - In the past in Northern Ireland we ran First Aid training for riders - provided by Saint John Ambulance - the idea behind a specific course was that rendering First Aid to a motorcyclist involves many additional considerations that may not be “instructed” in basic First Aid courses. A motorcyclist may be wearing heavy leathers, armour and should be wearing a helmet, which means that delivering essential lifesaving First Aid to bikers can be more life critical. Taking this specific first aid for motorcyclists a bit further, is Biker Down, the FREE … [Read more...]
