North biker safety courses set to get on the road
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BIKER safety is set to take centre stage at a number of new courses being run by Police Scotland.
Run in conjunction with road safety partners in the north of Scotland, the training courses aim to help motorcyclists ride responsibly and reduce the number of collisions.
Rider Refinement North is a one-day course that will take place until October 2022 in Inverurie, Elgin, Perth, and Dingwall. It is the only course of its kind in Scotland.
The course aims to raise awareness of the importance of road safety and make riders think of the personal consequences of taking risks.
Led by police motorcyclists and accompanied by an observer from the Institute of Advance Motorists, the course will look at key risk factors and provide riders with the knowledge and skills to be safer.
The course involves demonstration rides and observed rides with feedback from officers, vehicle examination checks of riders’ bikes and safety checks that should be carried out before any journey.
Spaces are limited and anyone wishing to participate is encouraged to provide more than one date for attending. Anyone interested in attending the course should email operationriderrefinement@scotland.police.uk
Previous courses received positive feedback from riders who changed their riding style and improved their skills as a result of attending Rider Refinement.
Inspector Greg Burns from Road Policing said: “Rider Refinement North is the only course of its kind being offered in Scotland and I hope that it will continue to attract riders who recognise this course as a gateway to advanced riding.
“A significant number of fatal collisions in the north area of the country involve motorcyclists. With great roads and scenery in Tayside, Grampian and Highland and Islands, motorcyclists from both the local area and from further afield love nothing more than to get out into the countryside to enjoy riding their bikes, especially in the warmer weather.
“The police motorcyclists leading the training will promote safe riding messages and encourage riders to think about their riding style and riding behaviour. We want participants to take advantage of the expert tuition and advice we will be providing."
Joining forces with police on this initiative are Road Safety Scotland, Institute of Advance Motorists, Scottish Fire and Rescue, Highland Council, Tayside Road Safety Forum Partnership, Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen City Council, Moray Council, Robert Gordon University and RoSPA.
The cost of the course is £40 per rider and includes lunch.
The course is open to any qualified motorcyclist, however priority will be given to those living in Tayside, the north-east and Highland and Islands.
The remaining courses running are:
Inverurie – May 4; May 7; June 12; July 24.
Elgin – July 9.
Perth – May 21; June 18; July 17; August 20; September 17; September 25; October 15.
Dingwall – May 22; June 12; June 26; July 10; August 7; August 14.
