MOTORCYCLISTS from Somerset will have the opportunity to learn new riding techniques to keep them safe on the roads at an event in Yeovil next month.
Raise Your Ride, an initative run by Somerset Road Safety in partnership with Avon and Somerset Police, aims to reduce rider casualties through its sessions.
On Sunday, June 19, Raise Your Ride will host an event for motorcyclists starting at Bransons Motorcycles in Yeovil.
The event will introduce riders to the “police system of motorcycle riding” and give safety advice for cornering, reading the road, planning and hazard avoidance, overtaking, and filtering.
Riders in attendance will be observed by a current or former police officer experienced with motorcycles and keeping riders safe.
A Raise Your Ride spokesperson said: “This is a unique opportunity to experience an observed ride with either a serving or former police advanced rider who will bring a wealth of experience of riding and collision investigation.
“The day will be relaxed and you will receive friendly hints and tips on how to make your ride safer and more enjoyable, with advice on what options are available to enhance your ride for safety and enjoyment.”
Raise Your Ride says motorcyclists make up around one to two per cent of road traffic but represent around 21 to 23 per cent of road casualites.
“We are all motorcyclists and ride for various reasons, and we all enjoy our riding,” the spokesperson added.
“Our aim in these sessions is simply to reduce rider casualties.”
The organisers hope participants will be encouraged to pursue further training with from bodies like IAM RoadSmart or The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).
The Raise Your Ride organisers said: “What we can promise is that you will leave us with new knowledge to help keep you safe.”
The course has an introduction to systematic riding which should be read before taking part in the sessions.
It will be sent to riders once they have applied for the course.
Riders must hold a full category A or A1 licence and have a motorcycle that can comfortably attain the national speed limit to be able to take part.
The one-day workshop costs £45 per person.
For more information about the road safety event in Yeovil, visit somersetroadsafety.org/riaseyourrideevent/raise-your-ride-yeovil/.
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