In South Wales we have the Dragon Rider Scheme this is heavily advertised at the riding school level and most of the popular bike meet up points have Dragon Rider posters or leaflets on display . Dragon Rider is the ERS, in a lot of areas it is combined with BikeSafe (Do Bike safe on the Saturday and the Dragon Rider on Sunday is often on offer). I think a lot of people ignore Bikesafe/ERS/advanced riding training as they dont think they need them. Add in the folks that may only ride the summer period but did a Bikesafe/ERS/advanced rider training a few years ago but the skills/knowledge has atrophied to nothing. I ride all the year round in all conditions it shocks me every year when the first warm dry weekend of the year just how terrifying some peoples riding is. Your comments regarding the general standard of hazard awareness in the driving/riding population is spot on!

You could have used a jetski on that road in the first part of this video! And it was a very interesting video too. The viewer commenting about progress and ragging it was me. I'm about to start my DAS and have a healthy amount of excitement but anxiety too - mainly because I keep hearing exminers want to see you make progress and I had assumed that meant just focus on getting up to the limit ASAP. Thankfully I watched the video you suggested (and this one) and you've put my mind at ease. I have no problem with being able to explain why full speed isn't always good and now I feel this is acceptable, rather than just a focus on speed - so thank you for the clarity you provide, it's reassuring. I've subscribed for that reason - quality, thoughful advice clearly based on experience and logic, that gives reassurance.

During my 40 odd years biking, I've learnt the following: Never put your bike where your brain hasn't been. Constantly think " What if?" Never, ever assume anything because people do the most insane, irrational things. The law may suggest you have right of way, a bodybag suggests otherwise.

I had not heard of the Enhanced Rider Scheme before watching your video, it looks a well structured way to become a safer rider. I have already started looking for a local instructor. Thank you.

Great information video as always, I have done my police escorted safer rider course last year which was a great course, and have looked into advanced course Rospa, IAM and have booked onto a DVLA course in June but your information has just made me understand I picked the right course for me and will be preparing prior to my June's course on the road of cold wet Norfolk, just hope the weather improves by then. Thanks again for the informative video.

Excellent video, thanks. We're all learning something new every day.

Every training thing is a plus, you can never take enough no matter how little it is. I do have a full bike licence but when I drive my car I do notice that I check my shoulder everytime by habit (rarely drivers do this) when I change lanes. Riders do make better drivers than the average population. The roads would a safer place if every driver did a rider course. I want someone that nickpicks every little I do because my life is valuable. You never feel like you have it all even as an advanced rider even then you will always learn off road/on road. A thirst for knowledge is a good attribute to have. Dont bother with people that think they know it all because they seal their fate.

The thing that put off when I did my RoSPA was the attitude/culture of instructors that "Is either my way or wrong...." or they just need to find something and point it out as an improvement where there is no need". I'm perfectly open to improvements and criticism, but sometimes it looks like they just can't say 10/10. And yes I know the philosophical argument of "there's no such thing as perfect, etc.." And sometimes they're just wrong! and they say "But that's the way we do it". For example linking/straightening bends is not necessarily an advanced or "enhanced" technique. One could enjoy taking a bend safely, accurately and progressively without having to straighten it where little benefit except a couple of seconds of progress is all you get. A Or staying in 3rd gear around multiple bends "could be seen as lazy riding", " show that you can change gear"... The worst of all the comments was "I've been riding for 40 years and never seen this" to which I said "too bad, my 14 year old daughter has seen it during a rideout as my pillion where a car being chased by the police came in the wrong direction at a roundabout and if wasn't because of my planning and good habits it could've ended up really badly." The point is many of these so-called "advanced " courses could easily become adapting to the instructor's style rather than a principle.

Some of those heavy rain shots sent shudders down my back. With regards to you comments on insurance, I recently attended an IAM meeting and was surprised when it was suggested that some insurance companies regard IAM qualified riders as higher risk. Supposedly, they may take the view that IAM qualified riders generally cover far higher mileage annually than other riders. This sounded absurd to me because we are told how motorcycle police accidents dropped dramatically following the implementation of Motorcycle Roadcraft. For some young or newly qualified riders the prospect of a certificate that reduces premiums is important. However, motorcycle training courses should never be about lowering insurance premiums. Its about understanding how to be safe out on the road and getting more enjoyment out of the experience of riding.

Interesting video. As a personal perspective having just passed my MOD2 and having invested the thick end of £1,500 in getting this far, I want to spend a few months getting some real road experience, and just enjoying the riding instead of pouring yet more money into instruction. I'm looking forward to a few months without the ear-piece-ear-ache "position, position, position, your're riding the brake pedal, it's a 40 not a 30, you could have filtered there, blah, blah, blah". You're very right, bends and corners are not taught during DAS, and I'm finding it a huge hole in my knowledge. The whole DAS seems to concentrate on town and suburban riding which, judging by the number of other bikes in the Brecon Beacons yesterday, is exactly the sort of riding most motorcyclists have very little interest in doing. It's left to KZfaq to teach 'Fast sweeping bends and twisties for Dummies'. On paper I'm an 'advanced' car driver. It's likely I will come back for advanced bike training, after I've gained some road-miles experience on my new bike (and assuming I survive long enough). However, I do wonder if part of the reason for poor uptake of advanced riding courses is that people have had a guts-full of expensive training by the end of DAS, fully intend to do more training later, but like me want to get some fun time in first. Trouble is by the time the summer fun is over, and the rain and leaf covered roads and cold-soggy-crotch-experiences have returned, the previous good intentions are long forgotten, life has got in the way and the training school has lost the connection with the former student.

Another really informative and useful video. Thank you. 👏 My question - having only passed my DA five years ago, I have subsequently done the following training: i2i Machine Control 1 & 2, Bike Safe, Biker Down, IAM Member, Off Road Level 1, together with nearly 50k miles on road experience. Firmly believing that every day is a school day, what route would you recommend next in my 'skills journey' ? Thank you for any advice. Much appreciated. 🙏

Obviously like everything it depends on the instruction given.

Cost a factor for some (although insurance discount appealing). Good explanation of what ERS training should be. After I passed my DAS & when developing on steeper learning curve I was advised by 2 bikers to... "just ride and have some fun" .....very helpful 😅

I found it useful as part of my return to motorcycles after an almost 30 year gap.

I think one of the reasons for the low uptake of Enhanced Rider Schemes is publicity, Until a few weeks ago I'd never heard of it, only saw the name when looking for A2 to A licence courses for a family member and assumed it was for those who'd just passed their test, like the Pass Plus for drivers. It actually sounds like something that might be worth considering as an alternative to IAM or ROSPA.

Thanks for the very informative video. 👍🏻

ANY Structured instruction program where the principal is to improve a riders safety at any price, can only be worthwhile.

Yup, advanced riding is not about collecting a badge, it's about constant practice and implementation of systematic methods of ride planning and motorcycle control.

Developing and constantly practicing advanced riding skills is of course always a good idea. That said, have you ever considered also developing intuitive riding skills? Humans have evolved sophisticated subconscious biological systems, such as a autonomic nervous system, that without our knowledge is always scanning for danger and influencing behaviour. Additionally, these aspects of ourselves can and do learn over time, helping us to keep safe and one step ahead of our conscious mind. Have you ever had occasions when riding, when, without the prompt of an obvious risk presenting itself, you’ve reacted ahead of what might have been a troublesome situation, or adopted a new safety strategy simply because if felt right? Be interested to hear your thoughts.

really considering doing this, does it help reduce insurance cost?

Interesting, I like the system not requiring a test. I don't know of any equivalent here. I like the non test structure. The reason I watch is to improve my riding and safety on the road. To reduce my risk. I have a license. I don't like tests. I do recognize there is definitely room for me to improve. After watching. I looked DVSA Scheme up. the DVSA is the official government driving license issuing agency. So it is an actual government issued standard. I do think this matters if you are choosing a course.

How would I get in touch if I want to do my ERS with you?

So is it worth doing the ERS if you’ve passed an IAM test ?

In the introductory video there's a voiceover and text about "Dwane". "Dwane" is in the UK military and has discovered an amazing invention regarding fuel. One day "Dwane" is in his garage working on his SUV, which is a Humvee. Strangely both he and his mate are wearing American uniforms. His garage is full of American military vehicles. I suspect "Dwane" is not in the British Army. His uniform and daft name gives him away. "Dwane" is from Irish and African American. Yet another scam KZfaq advert. Now onto a decent motorbike video.