Having learned to ride a bicycle as a child and then passed my driving test aged 17, I thought I had a pretty good understanding of the roads and the vulnerability felt by those on two wheels.
I've been with RTA Law since it was formed back in 2011 and over the last 11 years I have dealt with a mix of cycle, motorcycle and pedestrian related personal injury cases.
Over the last 4 years, I have headed up the cycle side of the business but have always represented a number of motorcyclists during that time. I believed I had reasonable knowledge of motorcycles, how they handle and the numerous hazards you have to be aware of every moment of every journey. I have cycled in Edinburgh city centre after all!! I have also been surrounded by others within the organisation who have a wealth of knowledge of all things motorbikes.
However, when given the opportunity to undertake my CBT, I jumped at the chance to learn more and gain a far greater understanding of what it is like to be out on Scotland’s roads on a motorcycle.
On reflection, I'm still undecided as to whether this was CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) or CPD (Continued Professional Development); perhaps for me it was both!
On a sunny Tuesday morning in October, I was apprehensive. How could I show face in this business if I could not pass my CBT?! How can you learn the skills you need to be safe on the road within a matter of hours? What if I caused an accident?!
Like so many things in life, over thinking gets you nowhere, so I shook off the negative thoughts and got geared up, literally and metaphorically!
My big take away from the day; I can totally understand the draw and quite frankly addiction to motorcycling. I can now far better understand why it is so detrimental to my client’s mental health when that is taken away from them in a blink of an eye. Furthermore, I'm now far better equipped to respond to the ridiculous arguments we all too often see from insurers on why braking distances are different for motorcycles than cars and why ditching the bike is sometimes the only option when faced with a motor vehicle turning across your path.
I cannot and will not pretend that one day on a motorcycle makes me a “biker,” but we all have to start somewhere!
Jodi Gordon - Partner