Safe Speed Forums

Hi all, new here and thought I'd do an intro.

I work for the Archway Project based in Thamesmead SE London. We offer a range of programs providing alternative education and diversionary activities for young people mainly based around bikes and cars. Check out our site if you have a interest in what we do, link here>>>>>>>>>>>http://www.archwayproject.org/

We are in the process of setting up a bike safe CBT scheme with local schools. Within this we are looking to provide a 2/3 day short course giving help and education in road safety, basic mechanics and pre ride/mot checks then offering a CBT test with a local training school.

Any comments, help and advice would be greatly appreciated as this is a new venture for us with the bulk of our work being based around off-road bikes.

Archway Project

What sort of advice are you looking for ?
Road safety is a big subject!

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Safe Speed for Intelligent Road Safety through proper research, experience & guidance.

The big one, as ever for a charity based organisation is finding funding streams to tap into so if anyone has any links that would be very welcome indeed.

That aside any hints and tips for new road users would be great. I've a good idea of what should be included in the short course having ridden/driven on the road for the past 17 years though some stuff becomes an automatic survival instinct so a refresher would be useful.

Having a poke around the site has proven useful and if anyone would like to speak up on what they think is a must learn for a new road user then please add here.

Thanks

Fantastic stuff. I applaud your efforts. I am a big fan of the CBT. I know it is underthread from Europe in favour of stringent testing but as far as I am concerned the ability to get on the road and start learning at 16 is invaluable and of far greater importance than another test or two. Getting a few more days instruction can't hurt though.

I have been involved with bikes for some years and am a qualified mechanic so will have a think about any tips or anything that warrants includion.

Hi Archway

Check out these links for content of your courses in the first instance. In the second instance - liaise with your police liaison officer

http://www.begin-motorcycling.co.uk/cbt.htm

http://www.geton.co.uk/content/finding-right-trainer

http://exceleratedurham.com/public/down ... rategy.pdf


Guy who runs the EXCELerate course can give you further help with CBT as well.

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Take with a chuckle or a grain of salt
Drive without COAST and it's all your own fault!

A SMILE is a curve that sets everything straight (P Diller).

A Smiley Per post
FINES USfor our COAST!

Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon - but driving with a smile and a COAST calm mind.

Funding at every time of recession is an even greater issue, casting your net as wide as possible helps find the sponsors and the many varied and necessary support.
By all means include a link to your group here on our Visitor Links Forum : viewtopic.php?f=13&t=99&hilit=Visitor+Link
As we become accustomed to operating a vehicle it becomes 'second nature', or it is a learning process, 'muscle memory', but when we start out it is all new and so all in our 'conscious brain'. We have to concentrate harder and think of 'everything' so, as we become more familiar with these basic operations, we can then commit more conscious thought to perfecting those skills, and also to other aspects of safe travelling. So the task becomes 'easier' now that it has been 'learned'. This can also be the time that bad habits can creep in, so care needs to be taken, and this is when advice and guidance is especially useful. Ongoing reminders help thereafter ...

I could probably fill a book of advice for road users of all experience levels, but

Responsible Driving / Riding can also be summed up using the below principals :
C - Concentration, Courtesy, Consideration, Conditions
O - Observation ~ Observe all about you, by sight, ears & smell
A - Anticipate, Attention, Awareness, Attitude
S - Space - all around you - your Safety Space, (for your and others mistakes), Select a Safe Speed
T - Time to react, (only a fool breaks the) Two second rule & Time to plan & execute your journey

Then there is the Safe Speed's Highway Code in exactly 100 words: :

Drive on the left.
Make sure you can see and be seen.
Keep a constant look out all around.
Be aware of signs and regulations and why they are there.
Be predictable.
Recognise and anticipate danger and keep clear space from it.
Always ensure that you can stop within the distance that you know is clear.
Develop your skills.
Give courtesy, co-operation and space to others. Don't obstruct them.
Never take risks, drive unfit or compete with others.
Safety is paramount and far more important than priority. Take personal responsibility for your safety and the safety of those nearby.
Enjoy.
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100 word Highway Code :
With every edition the Highway Code gets bigger. The latest edition recently published, has swelled to 133 pages. The Safe Speed campaign says that this 'bloat' is causing the essential safety messages to get lost and has produced their own version of the Highway Code in just 100 words.

Safe Speed founder Paul Smith explained: "We're not seriously suggesting that the official Highway Code should be replaced with just 100 words of advice to drivers, but the reason we have done this is deadly serious. We need to point out to Department for Transport that they have lost sight of the essential foundations of road safety, and their new Highway Code further loses sight of these foundations in a morass of rules."

"You cannot replace skilled human judgement with a rule book - however big it is - but that's exactly what Department for Transport is trying to do."
"Our Highway Code even includes things that the official version does not. For a start it reminds people that road use can be enjoyable. Without that enjoyment we wouldn't have the interest to develop the skills that safe use of the roads requires."
"Another problem is that the Highway Code tells us what to do, but not how to decide when it is safe. We need to recognise danger and develop our skills for that."
"We hope that these founding principles will help road users everywhere - not just drivers - to focus on what's important and stay out of trouble."
"Some of the statements may not be immediately obvious to inexperienced road users, but all the common crash causes are covered. When we get it right we don't crash - but in order to get it right we need the right beliefs, the right skills and the right attitude. When things go wrong - think back to your last incident - and you'll probably be able to recognise the cause of the incident in those 100 words. Did you fail to spot the danger? Did you take a risk knowingly? Were you unfit through tiredness, drink or drugs?"

"Use this code, learn from your mistakes and use the roads as safely as you possibly can. It's enjoyable to do so."

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Safe Speed's "Highway Code in 100 words" is copyright but a free licence is granted for any use in any medium PROVIDED THAT the origin is acknowledged.

_________________
Safe Speed for Intelligent Road Safety through proper research, experience & guidance.

Fundraising is always a difficult topic.

In this recession times people want bargains, so how about starting a charity auction and maybe work with a local auction house where all items sold provide you with a percentage contribution, perhaps with the theme of motor memorabilia? You might ask various motoring bodies for free contributions ? etc etc

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Safe Speed for Intelligent Road Safety through proper research, experience & guidance.