Learning to ride a motorcycle safely in London

Learning to ride a motorcycle is challenging at the best of times, especially in London. More importantly though, staying safe on the roads is important for all road users.

As a scooter or motorcycle rider you should be especially cautious because you are more vulnerable than other motorists. Metropolis offer expert Motorcycle training in London and Scooter training in London which help to train you to ride a motorcycle safely.  We have achieved our excellent reputation through exceptional customer care as our 69% referral rate proves. Here are our top five tips for staying safe on those busy London roads:

• Wear the correct protective clothing. By law you must wear a helmet when riding a scooter or motorcycle in the UK, not just London! Be sure that your helmet is securely fastened before travelling and that there are no scratches or dirt on the visor which may impair your vision. It is also advised that you wear suitable protective clothing because if you have an accident on a bike or scooter, your clothing will be the only layer protecting you from the surface of the road.
• Don’t speed. Especially as a learner, it’s important to maintain a safe speed. If you go even 5mph over the speed limit and lose control of the motorcycle, things are bound to end in tears. Congested London roads may make your frustrated and at times you’ll want to speed off into the distance but don’t; be patient and familiarise yourself with slow speeds.
• Make yourself visible. Many motorcycle related accidents occur when other motorists do not see the rider. For this reason it is advisable to make yourself as visible as possible. Choosing reflective or florescent clothing and always using your dipped headlights will help alert other road users of your presence. Remember to examine your surroundings and keep your eye on every driver and pedestrian in your vicinity.
• Don’t become too comfortable. Whether you have been learning to ride for a month or you’ve been riding for a decade you should never become complacent when on the road. As a motorcyclist it is vital you remain alert at all times and are constantly anticipating the actions of other road users. This is especially important during bad weather, and at accident hot spots such as junctions and roundabouts.
• Watch out for obstacles and road surfaces. Uneven surfaces, oil slicks and pot holes present a major hazard for the motorcyclist.
• Stay in your comfort zone. Only overtake if you are sure it is safe to do so; make sure you will not need to swerve or speed up excessively to complete the manoeuvre. Also know that you don’t always have to overtake and you can maintain a speed which is comfortable for you. Most learners don’t understand that exceeding your comfort zone could result in a nasty accident.

If you’re looking for Motorcycle Training in London or Scooter Training then Metropolis can help. Our experienced and approachable team endeavour to meet all your training needs from nervous novice to the more experienced rider and all abilities in between. Many of our instructors have been with us since the beginning and this leads to a real family atmosphere, which permeates throughout all the departments at Metropolis Motorcycles. Learn in a clean and customer friendly environment with enthusiastic and experienced instructors, from CBT to full licence courses. Train on Piaggio scooters or Honda motorcycles. The choice is yours!

Tags: motorcycle training, motorcycle training in london, scooter

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 8th, 2011 at 3:46 pm and is filed under Articles, Training Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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