1st Class Motorcycle Training - with 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff » RoSPA

1st Class Motorcycle Training in Cardiff

Andy Smith — Sun, 29 May 2011 22:59:26 +0000

A busy month at 1st Class Rider Training.

Congratulations to the following who have passed their bike tests so far in May. Andrew Mod 1&2, Bob Mod 1&2, Marc Mod 1&2, Dale Mod 1, Steve Mod 1, Lucy Mod 2, Jason Mod 2, Simon Mod 2, Dan Mod 1&2, Gavin Mod 1, Colin Mod 1&2.
Plus 6 RoSPA Advanced Tests. Looking forward to June.

Ride Out…Ride Right

Andy Smith — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 23:15:53 +0000

Further to my News Post dated the 16th of May about assessed and observed rides offered by South Wales Fire & Rescue Service, 1st Class Rider Training can now give more detailed information about this new Motorcycle Safety Scheme.

The Fire Service literature details how the scheme will operate. It explains ;..

“”" South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has now launched ‘Ride Out…Ride Right’ to help keep motorcyclists safe on the roads. If you are interested in taking part in our free observation rides then please read on,

You will be met by one of our three team riders at a pre-arranged meeting point.

You will ride to a fire station at either Abergavenny, Usk, Merthyr or Maesteg where you will be given a short presentation over a beverage.

The presentation includes Observation, Hazards and the Principles of Cornering.

Following the presentation you will then go out for an observation ride which will last for approximately an hour.

At the end of the ride you will be asked for your feedback and thoughts on the ride.

What we would like you to get out of this is to consider further training through recognised bodies, i.e. Bikesafe, RoSPA, IAM, MAG etc but most of all we want you to enjoy your riding and stay safe on our roads.

All you have to do is reply to us at RORR@southwales-fire.gov.uk confirming when you would be available, morning, afternoon, weekdays or weekends with a contact number and we will arrange your ride. “”"

I have met the Fire Service Riders and their enthusiasm is unquestionable and they are keen to make this new scheme a success.

At 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff we support any initiative that is intended to make riders safer, and to reduce casualties amongst all road users, but particularly motorcyclists and we wish them well.

We are happy to support the scheme.

French Tour 20th – 22nd August

Andy Smith — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:16:23 +0000

French Tour of the WWI Battle sites and War Graves with 1st Class Rider Tours.

This is a professionally lead group ride, using Police Class 1 and RoSPA qualified guides for the trip.

Return Ferry Crossing, Three Days/ Two Njghts 3 Star Bed & Breakfast accomodation and our tour guide services for just £300. (that’s cheaper than a CBT in Newport).

You will also receive an information pack giving routes and destinations together with safety and legal advice for motorcycling in Europe.

This is an ideal way if taking your first steps across the Chanel.

Good roads, good food and great company make these trips 1st Class Rider Tours.

Call now to book your place or for further details.

These trips normally sell out fast.

0845 108 2906

Road Deaths Down

Andy Smith — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 08:08:15 +0000

Figures Courtesy of RoSPA show another drop in total road deaths.

In 2007 there were a total of 2,946 total deaths. This dropped to 2,538 in 2008.

For motorcyclists, biker deaths were down from 588 in 2007 to 493 in 2008. This is a welcome drop but biker deaths still remain higher than they were in the mid 1990′s.

Even though, overall, road deaths dropped, child pedestrians fatality numbers have increased. Cyclists fatality numbers have dropped but the number of cyclists seriously injured has increased.

So generally this is good news but as motorcyclists are still one of the most vulnerable groups of road users out there we must still ride defensively and with consideration for ourselves and others.

Advanced Motorcycle Course & RoSPA Test

Andy Smith — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:22:42 +0000

1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff Four Day Advanced Motorcycle Course. Leading to the RoSPA Advanced Test.

This is it. The long awaited (by some) 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff, Four Day Advanced Motorcycle Course. This is a four day course spread over a number of weeks. It contains a classroom based, theory element, followed by periods of self practice before on road instruction, with an option to undergo the RoSPA test at the end of the course. All the training is based on the Police System of Motorcycle Control and is run by RoSPA Examiners & Diploma Holders.

The venue for the theory sessions, we hope, will be our new ‘home’ at Cardiff County Councils’ New Road Safety Centre at Maindy Stadium, Cardiff. (This will be confirmed)

I don’t run many of these through the year so don’t miss your chance for this one. The cost of the four day course is only £500. That is only £125 per day. What? We charge £125 for a CBT!!

You’d better book your place before I realise my mistake and charge the proper price for this.

The course start date has been set as Saturday the 15th of August, with day 2 the following Saturday the 22nd of August. Later course dates will be arranged to suit the course participants and will be mutually agreed for the practical road riding sessions.

Visit our newsletter blog to sign up for free up dates on Advanced Training, Social Events and Rideouts.

Just click the link on the left.

Harley Davidson Rider’s Edge

Andy Smith — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 09:59:43 +0000

Just another chapter, in the 1st class Rider Training-Cardiff formation history.

When Harley Davidson was looking to set up a Europe branch of their Rider’s Edge Motorcycle Training scheme, I wasn’t far away.

The Director’s of the training school based in Builth Wells, Mid Wales needed Direct Access qualified Instructors and in the early stages of the development of Rider’s Edge I was able to assist in setting up an Advanced Motorcycle Training and Testing scheme. (Based on the RoSPA Gold Silver and Bronze grading system), and carrying out training at all levels from CBT right up to the Rider’s Edge Gold standard.

Working closely with Pat, the Motorcycling Director at the time I gained much useful experience and this was another stepping stone towards the formation of 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff.

New Motorcycle Test

Andy Smith — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 22:40:22 +0000

Sorry but it’s the New Motorcycle Test Again.

a Newsletter recieved from the DSA today reveals that the New Test will be split into 2 modules and from the date of implementation will no longer be able to be taken in Cardiff.

The actual date of the first test to be taken under the new procedures will be 27th of April. The last test under the old scheme will, we understand, be the 24th of April and there will be no tests over the weekend.

This is to allow the DSA staff to leave the country with your ill gotten test fees, that they should have given back to you last September, and to leave the system in a melt down mess as the new booking system starts.

I still feel that April the 1st would have be a more appropriate date to bring this in.

Was it Willy Wonka who said….. “A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men”…….

He may not have said it first but in the Gene Wilder film… he definately did say it. Way ahead of his time he was.

Willy Wonka for DSA Chief!

29th Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show

Andy Smith — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 03:07:17 +0000

Why not join us for a Ride Out. At 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff we run a Rider’s Club and organise a Monthly Ride Out.

Starting in Cardiff, we meet at MacDonald’s at Coryton Interchange at junction 32 of the M4, just off the A470 on the Northern outskirts of Cardiff, on the 15th of February the next Rideout is to the 29th Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show, at the Royal Bath & West Showground at Shepton Mallet.

For full details click on the ‘Newsletter’ tab on the left.

Why not join us….you know you want to.

RoSPA Advanced Motorcycle Test

Andy Smith — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:05:25 +0000

At 1st Class Rider Training we use only Police Class 1 Riders as our Instructors, but in addition to this professional qualification, and the valuable experience that goes with it, at ’1st Class’ we have among our staff 2 RoSPA Advanced Motorcycle Test Examiners and a RoSPA Diploma Holder.

We run Advanced Courses which allow the participants to undergo the RoSPA test at the end of the course, and their test fee also includes the membership to RoSPA.

But What is the RoSPA Grading. My earlier post gives information on the different Police Grades (Class 1 being the highest available) but not everyone needs to join ‘the job’ and wear a funny hat before they can have their riding achievements recognised.

RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) has it’s origins in the early fifties and was set up to halt the rise in Road Casualties. It has grown since those early days and now gives advice, guidance and training to prevent accidents of all kinds. Household, Workplace and of course the Road.

The motorcycle test has 3 grades. (Three ‘Pass’ Grades that is- The Test Can also be ‘Failed’)

Gold

Silver

and Bronze.

So what does each one mean. I will look at how the test is run and what is expected of the candidate in a later post but will concentrate here on the Grades and how they are achieved.

What follows is taken from the RoSPA ‘Guidance for Candidates & Training Officers’.

BRONZE

This Grade will be awarded to riders whose performance is significantly above the standard required to pass the ‘L’ Riding Test.

These Riders will also show a knowledge of Motorcycle Roadcraft ……….. The Ride should be entirely safe, observing traffic signs, responding correctly to hazards and should display advanced riding techniques.

SILVER

This Grade will be awarded to riders who are well above the average. These riders will produce consistently safe and systematic rides but perhaps without the final polish, flair and smoothness of the Gold Riders. They will demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the ‘System of Motorcycle Control’. Candidates must be able to ride up to the permitted speed limit where it is safe to do so but vary speed according to circumstances and conditions. It must be emphasised that SILVER is an extremely high grade and is a commendable achievement.

GOLD

This Grade is recognised as the highest riding award available to the Public.

It will be awarded only to the polished systematic rider, who displays a complete understanding and appropriate application of the principles outlined in Motorcycle Roadcraft’. The candidate will display a confidence and ability throughout the whole test which leads the examiner to consider that, if afforded the opportunity, the candidate could achieve a Police Grade without further tuition. The candidate’s performance must be consistent throughout the whole of the test and so any lapses may result in a lower grade.

Awards of this grade will therefore be reserved for the very best riders.

********************

Of Course there are other tests and schemes in the market but you can see that nothing else comes close to helping you raise your riding ability to the highest level like the RoSPA Scheme. I agree that any form of further training has value but the RoSPA scheme is way ahead of the game.

The DSA are striving to implement a Register of Post Test Trainers, open to anyone who ‘thinks they can ride a bit’ so you may find yourself being taught by a Butcher, a Baker or a Candlestick Maker. Now nothing against any of these fine professions but they may not be ‘professional riders’ with the depth of experience and training background to warrant you spending your hard earned.

One thing for sure; ‘Thinking you’re good is one thing….but knowing your good is even better.

Motorcycle Training in France

Andy Smith — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:52:05 +0000

1st Class Rider Training are running an Advanced Motorcycle Training Course in France in April. There are just four spaces left on this trip.

If you are interested in what will be a Training/Social Trip with a likeable group of bikers then you can view the full details on our Newsletter at www.1stclassrider.blogspot.com

To visit our Newsletter Blog click on the Newsletter Link in the tabs on the left.

The training will be based on the Police System of Riding, Roadcraft, and can lead to a final test under the RoSPA Advanced Test Scheme.