Our Group Chief Observer, Bill Ford, writes about What Advanced Riding is about.

This is what the Institute of Advanced Motoring have to say about it........

• Being in total control...... all the time
• Understanding what you are doing
• Quick, efficient and safe overtaking
• Anticipating other road-users’ mistakes
• Progressive riding where conditions allow
• Becoming a thinking rider, not an automaton
• Understanding your motorcycle and getting the most out of it
• Developing observation, anticipation and timing at junctions and roundabouts, so you can negotiate the traffic with minimal disruption


From ‘How to Be A Better Rider’ the IAM’s motorcycling manual, p4

 Bill

If I had to choose just one of the above descriptions of what being an advanced rider is about it would most likely be ‘becoming a thinking rider, not an automaton’.

 Bill Ford.

The idea of being a thoughtful rider where nothing is done out of habit and everything is considered, responded to and planned for underpins the whole approach to becoming a better and a safer rider. It doesn’t mean becoming defensive and slow. It is very much about making progress, being assertive (not aggressive), feeling in charge of your riding and taking responsibility for everything you do. All of which adds up to greater enjoyment and the knowledge that you are riding more skilfully and safely.

If you are reading this and considering the Skill For Life course it’s probably worth knowing that very early on in their course nearly all Associates describe how their riding has become more fluent, progressive and enjoyable.

It’s also worth noting that the new IAM manual is about being a ‘better’ rider and although the term advanced is used throughout the book it has been dropped from the title. It’s an important step I believe in that it helps to make the point that passing the advanced test is not an end in itself, that there are other levels of being advanced and that the business of improving and being better is a continuous process.

Whether you are a rider who passed the test years ago, a new rider thinking about taking up the Skill for Life course or an IAM observer you will have that capacity to continue improving. Our aim is to provide the opportunities for it to happen. Both through helping associates to prepare for the test and also through an all year programme of riding and indoors activities for all our members.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or suggestions on how we go about meeting our aims. I look forward to meeting you in the year ahead.

Bill Ford Chief Observer