Orkney motorcyclist backs “top” bike training scheme

Motorbike enthusiast Mark Groat took part in the Rider Refinement training scheme to enhance his motorbike skills  – and would encourage others to give it a go.

There’s no lecturing on riding responsibly, he says – it’s all about getting tips to read the road better, assessing your riding and getting pointers on what to do to keep yourself as safe as possible.

Whilst you cannot control other driver behaviour, you can arm yourself with all the tools you need to try and ensure you get home safely after every outing.

Mark said: “This is a top course. I did it a few years ago and would do it again if I didn’t have something on this time. There is no lecturing involved, there’s a couple of very experienced bikers giving you tips to keep yourself a bit safer.

“Most of it is actual riding which is the fun part. I think we covered over 100 miles on the day I was on it in different formats - you following the police bike, police bike following you, you following the rest of the group etc.

“I can’t remember exactly how many hours training those running the course said they have to do yearly to keep them riding at the level they’re at but it was huge. They just try and pass a little of that on to you. It can be a bit nerve racking getting followed about by a policeman on a bike and them pointing out some of your not so finer points but it was overall very positive.

“I was very impressed with the course and those that ran it. They were very realistic in how bikers ride though, and they never came across as lecturing.”

The one day course is run by Police Scotland, along with road safety partners, and will take place in the county on Sunday 17 September.

The cost of the course is £40 per rider and includes lunch. Anyone interested in attending the course can email operationriderrefinementnorth@scotland.police.uk

Full story: https://www.orkney.gov.uk/News?postid=8035