First and foremost, Harrogate Advanced Bikes (HAB) aim to make the IAM RoadSmart Advanced Rider training fun. If you’re enjoying yourself, you’ll learn more and quickly!
We pride ourselves on the high quality of our training and we are passionate about maintaining and improving this standard. Our goal is not just to bring associates to IAM RoadSmart Advanced Rider Test standard (itself a worthy achievement), but rather to turn out Advanced Riders that meet our own, higher standards. We use the RoadSmart Advanced Rider Advanced Test as a measure to ensure we are doing this and aim not just for passes but for “praised passes” from our examiners.
We hold regular “Rider Skills Workshops” which provide an environment to further improve your riding skills in the company of other like minded individuals (whilst having fun on the bikes, of course). Our regular Rideouts give all members the opportunity to mix continuous practice with enjoyable biking.
As far as we at HAB are concerned, training starts on your first observed ride and finishes when you hang up your leathers for the last time.
What is the training structure?
As soon as we have your paperwork (see the Join Us page), we will put you on the list for training which depends on how many Observers we have available, usually, a place is allocated quite quickly.
The training is performed 1-2-1. You are assigned an instructor, called an Observer, who coaches you to the required standard. Training covers a series of modules – normally over about 9 observed sessions (typically 2 to 3 hours each) during which the observer will cover all aspects of advanced riding.
When you start training with us, we do expect commitment as we give our own time on a voluntary basis. We generally ask that associates (trainees) have a session preferably weekly and that they must practice the concepts discussed between in their own time to consolidate what they have learnt.
What is the training based on?
The training is provided under the IAM Skills for Life scheme and is mostly based on and around the Highway Code, and Motorcycle Roadcraft – The Police Rider’s Handbook. Details of where to buy these are on the IAM RoadSmart Advanced Rider Test page.
Who will train me?
Our training is conducted by HAB National Observers who have not only taken and passed the Advanced test themselves, but have consequently improved their own riding to an even higher standard and have been trained and passed the National Observers test, to effectively pass on that knowledge to others, i.e. you.