Advanced Riding
Studies have shown that advanced riders are less likely to have accidents than those who haven't completed advanced training and are less likely to be involved in right turn, loss of control collisions and rear end shunts.
A recent study has highlighted that motorcyclists who have taken the IAM RoadSmart Advanced Rider course have safer attitudes on the roads and are involved in fewer collisions per mile than riders who have not completed advanced rider coaching.
Conducted for the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, the survey of nearly 1,300 riders, split evenly between IAM RoadSmart members and non-advanced qualified motorcyclists, also revealed that advanced riders were more aware of the limitations of other drivers and riders and were therefore more likely to show consideration for their fellow road users.
Other key findings from the study revealed advanced riders were less likely to speed in residential areas where the speed limits were less than 40mph, and were less likely to approach bends as quickly as other riders who hadn’t taken part in an advanced course or taken their Advanced Rider test. Higher levels of riding confidence by advanced motorcyclists was also evident in their choice of speed, on various different road scenarios.
The study also revealed that advanced riders have fewer collisions per year when compared to other riders in their age group and have a lower rate of collision involvement per mile. IAM RoadSmart riders covered, on average, 15,000 miles incident-free compared to non-IAM RoadSmart riders who had a collision, on average, every 9,400 miles.
Neil Greig, Policy and Research Director at IAM RoadSmart, said: “The results of this study are reassuring. Road safety is paramount, and it is great to see that our members are some of the safest road users out there.”
Advanced motorcycle riding is a method developed by the Police promoting a systemic use of 'roadcraft' based on understanding and implementing principles referred to as IPSGA (Information - Position - Speed - Gear - Acceleration) and widely adopted by other emergency services.
IPSGA
This systematic Police method of motorcycle control, explained in detail in the Police Handbook of Roadcraft, is the foundation of and underpins everything learned on our advanced courses during which you will be encouraged to continually adopt these principles in order to gather and assess information, develop greater hazard awareness, understand the importance of
forward planning, knowing how to best position your motorcycle to optimize vision and stability, adopt
an appropriate and safe speed for situations, including cornering and negotiating hazards whilst at
all times maintaining a safe stopping distance, selecting a suitable gear to match your road speed
and the best use of your machines engine and performance to optimize safety and efficiency.
INFORMATION
POSITION
SPEED
GEAR
ACCELERATION
Many certified advanced riders
go on to work with emergency voluntary services such as the Blood Bikes who provide vital support to the NHS and Air Ambulances throughout the UK.
Blood Bikes are always in need of suitably qualified advanced riders to help maintain and continue their work in saving lives.
Alternatively, you may wish to progress further and become an advanced motorcycle tutor.
