Advanced rider training

To keep us safe on the road we all need to use a system to help plan and deal with hazards.

When you took your motorcycle test, you may remember using either:

• observation, signal, manoeuvre - position, speed, look (OSM-PSL)
• information, position, speed, gear, acceleration (IPSGA)

Skills and knowledge

This module will develop the following skills and knowledge:

• correct and effective use of OSM-PSL and IPSGA for all road and traffic situations
• riding with confidence and assertiveness not aggression
• hazard perception

Anyone who rides a motorcycle will tell you that getting a series of bends right is the most enjoyable part of their riding, unfortunately getting a bend wrong can have serious consequences, you need to ensure you:

• Look and plan well ahead for any warning signs
• Learn how to use a safe system to negotiate bends
• Understand how counter-steering effects your machine

Skills and knowledge

This module will develop the following skills and knowledge:

• Correct position
• OSM-PSL / IPSGA
• Limit Point / vanishing point
• Counter steering
• Planning and anticipation
• Judgement
• Hazards / braking on bends
• Observational links
• Road Markings
• Use of controls, brakes, throttle, steering

As roads get ever busier, it’s essential that you look and plan well ahead. Avoid putting yourself in a situation where you’re trying to do too many things at once, get yourself ahead of the game by:

• staying in control enhance your awareness and planning skills
• learning how to be more aware of other road users, including cyclists, drivers, animals and pedestrians
• understanding how the weather conditions affect you as a rider
• developing an early awareness of emergency vehicles and knowing how to deal with them
• developing an early awareness of aggressive road users and knowing how to deal with them

Skills and knowledge

This module will develop the following skills and knowledge:

• OSM-PSL / IPSGA
• scanning and prioritising – what if?
• times and places of high risk
• control of speed
• reaction time to hazards
• weather and road conditions
• avoid distractions - mobile phones and so on
• visual and audible warnings - sat nav, Bluetooth and so on

When riding you should be particularly aware of your speed and always ride at a speed appropriate to what is happening around you.

• Ride safely and within your limits
• Learn how to make progress when it’s safe to do so
• Avoid being hesitant – enhance your planning skills at junctions and roundabouts

Skills and knowledge

This module will develop the following skills and knowledge:

• national speed limits
• restricted speed limits
• planning and awareness
• road and weather conditions
• traffic conditions
• other road users’ limitations (speed)
• pedestrian activity
• stopping distances

The big advantage of riding a motorcycle is that overtaking slower vehicles can be completed quicker and safer however there are some simple rules you need to follow:

• don’t overtake unless it’s necessary - for example don’t rush to get past someone only to turn off shortly afterwards
• don’t overtake near a hazard

Many riders regularly filter, it can be great way to save time when faced with stationary traffic, again there are some rules you need to follow:

• Filtering requires great care and can expose you to additional hazards. Ask yourself is it necessary and is it safe?

Skills and knowledge

This module will develop the following skills and knowledge:

• OSM-PSL/IPSGA
• Safe and appropriately timed overtaking
• Oncoming vehicles – Junctions layby’s
• Limited space with muliple vehicles to overtake, stationary vehicles, queueing traffic and the dangers ie junctions
• Legal – White lines – Road markings – Speed – Rider attitude
• Learn the use of SLAP - Is it Safe, Legal, with an Advanced and have good Perception from other road users

Slow-speed riding techniques are invaluable when riding in slow moving traffic, filtering or negotiating junctions to name a few. As a motorcyclist, you would want to be able to ride at low speed with total confidence in your ability.

• You will learn expert slow control and co-ordination skills

Skills and knowledge

• Slow control techniques – Co-ordinated use of controls
• Steering and counter balance
• Observation

A key theme that runs through everything we do as a rider is having the right attitude, it is important to understand and consider:

• Accepting responsibility for yourself and showing due care and consideration for other road users
• Being patient – Avoid confrontation with other road users
• Anticipating for the mistakes of others and even your own

Skills and knowledge

This module will develop the following skills and knowledge:

• dealing with other road users
• over reaction, showing good manners
• fatigue, weather, health, alcohol/drugs, distraction
• safe habits, responsible attitude, own actions and consequences