Bikesafe

fatty pang

Bookings now being accepted for 2023 - €45

https://gardabikesafe.ie/

GBX

Interesting they are now charging. But the Garda operate like any business now. Security costs for gigs etc. They were doing it in their own time too - so likely a drop off in volunteers for it. Worth doing it either way.

Bluefoam

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120411082#Comment_120411082

Well, that sold out faster than Pearl Jam!

IrishGrimReaper

Managed to get a slot in Ballyshannon on the 29th April.

Be interesting to see what it's like.

Rosahane

I was one of the participants in very first bikesafe test years ago.

I don’t see any point in doing one without having already undertaken ROSPA training. The Garda training is broadly similar to ROSPA and the Bikesafe test is based upon that code

muddle84

Is Bikesafe open to people that haven't done their test yet/are still on provisionals? I can't see any list of requirements on the page.

galwaytt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120412885#Comment_120412885

Didn't it just: I was on first thing yesterday and every slot was gone. I emailed them and they said they were surprised by the level of takeup.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120414550#Comment_120414550

I did Bikesafe in it's first iteration back then as well, was a good experience.

I think it's ideally aimed at non-RoSPA riders as being the brief course it is, it's more likely to be taken up (witness all booked out in one day) due to the modest time commitment.

But I do think it's actually a door-opener for people to get them to go on and do RoSPA as the evaluation they'd give you is really a signposting of where you'd benefit from such training. From that I'd say you (should) see a takeup in RoSPA training - which I'm a big supporter of.

faz1

Did Bikesafe a few years ago and found it useful and informative.

Is there a RoSPA training available in Irl?

galwaytt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120461075#Comment_120461075

Yes - where are you based ?

positron

I did bikesafe with Garda some 10 years ago here in Drogheda - it was only an hour or two and I thought it was realy good. Garda followed me on his bike for first part observing how I ride, and then he explained what I am doing right and what I could do better, and followed me again to see if I am improving. Garda was very positive and supportive really. The main takeaway that I still remember from the session is about road positioning - I recall him saying give more importance to your position on the road for your maximum visibility and security, don't mind the road markings too much, the main focus of the road position should always be to own the road and to absolutely make sure that you are seen.

I never go the certificate, but sure I am not complaining - it was totally free!

Prospectors

To anyone who has done this recently, what does the day consist of?

It says it runs from 10am to 4pm, do you break for lunch at the barracks or do you take breaks out on the road?

Does it run all the way until 4pm?

How many other attendees were there with you?

IrishGrimReaper

I did it three weeks ago in Ballyshannon.

Starts approx 10AM in the barracks with the theory part, which was about two hours give or take with a tea break in between.

Then it was the ride out which is about 2-3 hours depending on the time. You'll stop every now on and then on the road as the guard will give some tips but ours was one proper tea/coffee stop during the ride. It does end around 4PM give or take ours ran a little bit late which was fine.

The theory part is meh as the videos were outdated but the ride out was great and worth it alone + the weather was great in Donegal.

There were 8 people on mine and 4 guards - 1 guard for 2 people.

The guards were all sound too.

knucklehead6

just a heads up for anyone who had booked for the 28th of this month in Limerick, it WILL NOT happen. I was booked for yesterday down there and there was a mistake made. The Garda I was talking to said they only ever do bikesafe on a Sunday there.

I’d say someone put in 7/8/25 instead of 7/9/25.

D3V!L

Myself and the missus did this earlier on in the year. Both our takes on it were it was just "ok". We both found the Gardai that were doing it quite condescending during the initial classroom part. Then during the practical ride, the Garda that was out with us made some very dangerous manoeuvres, at one point nearly hitting my wife on her bike.

Overall wouldn't recommend it.

BaronVon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123706391#Comment_123706391

Was that Dublin?

IrishGrimReaper

That sounds like a horrid experience Devil, be interested to know where it was also.

I had a look to see about doing one in Northern Ireland through the PSNI this year, but they are all on Fridays and I can't take a day off work. I'm going to try the North next year to see how it compares to my South experience.

Bluefoam

Just a heads-up, I did mine in Belfast last year... I saw Crumlin Rd and thought all I'd have to contend with was Connor McGregor. It was well worth the trip. And a decent experience. I was taught most of it during my ibt with Dalton, but it's worth recapping after having passed the test and settling into your routine.

D3V!L

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123706635#Comment_123706635

Yes, in Dublin Castle

raven41

I did it in Dublin Castle with the guards a couple years back. Guys doing the course were sound and makes you realise there's a decent human being there and not just a uniform.

For anyone on bikes a good few years, like myself, and has watched stuff online about safer riding, most of what they taught us was real basic common sense stuff that you could glean with even a cursory glance at the Internet.

Spin out with the guy was OK. I'm going to say it, but driving within the speed limits was a very strange experience. Went out Ashbourne direction, turned left for Fairyhouse and back in by Blanch.

If you're newish to bikes, I'd recommend it, if you're around them a while and take an interest in being safer on 2 wheels I dunno.

Did a day long course with Peter Bookey years ago and that was money well spent....

muddle84

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123729368#Comment_123729368

Riding within the speed limits is just as unusual for them as it is for you!!!!

Krusty_Clown

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123729368#Comment_123729368

I did it last year, and there was no question of sticking to the speed limit. We were told to ride at our normal riding speeds and not to worry about tickets. Even still, I didn't want to take the pi$$, and stuck to the speed limit +10%. It was a great experience, and I picked up some tips related to bad habits I'd picked up over the last 20 years since my last riding skills course. Lovely bunch of riders.

Hotblack Desiato

Whether you want to do Bikesafe or not, get hold of a copy of Motorcycle Roadcraft and give it a good few reads cover to cover. Plenty to think about in there.

Trigger Happy

I did the Bikesafe in Dublin Castle yesterday. 9 people booked on the course but only 3 turned up. So we had 1 tutor to 1 student focus.

It really was a helpful course and after 20 odd years on bikes I found that i have a few bad habits ingrained in me. The monitored ride was very good. 2 hours riding thru north Dublin and Meath with my own Garda escort was a hell of an experience. But it was the best €40 ever spent.