Improve your motorcycling skills and sign up for a ‘skills for life’ course at the Borders Group of Advanced Motorcyclists’ Open day.
The Borders Group of Advanced Motorcyclists (BGAM) will be holding its 6th annual open day on Saturday April 4th, 2020 between 10am and 3pm at Hawick Police Station, 1 Howdenbank, Hawick.
Following the success of previous years, BGAM will once again be offering up to 20 x £50 refunded places on the IAM Road Smart ‘Skills for Life’ course, as part of their drive to encourage better and safer motorcycling on local roads. The refunded places are available on a ‘first come first served’ basis to those who attend and sign up on the day, with the £50 refunded upon successful completion of the course within a year (Borders Residents only). This year we are supported by Police Scotland, Scottish Fire Service and Scottish Ambulance Service.
A Free 30-minute ride assessment with a qualified IAM Road Smart observer will also be available throughout the day.
Over the last few years, the Scottish Borders Council, Police Scotland, Transport Scotland, Drivewise and The Borders Group of Advanced Motorcyclists have assisted over 70 Borders riders complete the course and pass the IAM Road Smart Advanced riders test.
Jimmy Wright, BGAM Group Secretary, said:
“All the partners involved are keen to reduce the number of incidents involving motorcycles in and around the Scottish Borders. One of the ways to achieve this is through education and the ‘Skills for Life’ course which aims to make motorcycle riders become ‘Thinking Riders’ through the continual use of the 5 elements of Motorcycle control; Information, Position, Speed, Gear and Acceleration.
“If you want to know more about advanced riding and the ‘Skills for Life’ courses, come along on the day and have a chat with one of our friendly team of observers or contact us at enquire@bgam.org.uk.”
Brenda and Rod Mitchell of Peebles-based Motorcycle Law Scotland signed up a couple of years ago and have been impressed by the training.
Brenda said:
“We’ve been motorcyclists all our adult lives, but we recognise the importance of continuous training and instruction. There is always something new to learn which will help ensure everyone’s safety on the roads.
“This is a great initiative by BGAM and we support it wholeheartedly.”
Places on the course are available to riders who hold a UK category A or A2 licence. They must have a legal and road worthy motorcycle capable of maintaining the national speed limit and commit to completing the course by March 31st 2021.
The sign-up process will involve a reduced upfront fee of £139 and a non-refundable contribution to your observer’s costs, currently £40. A refund of £50 is payable upon successful completion of the course and passing of the test by 31st March 2021.
Representatives from Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue, Scottish Ambulance, Blood Bikes Scotland and many others, including some local traders will also be present at BGAM’s Open Day and refreshments will be available.
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