SO you think you’re pretty nifty on a bike, then? Well, now you can put that belief to the test and become an advanced motorcyclist in Jersey.
John Trafford, a former traffic cop who first brought the advanced car exam to the Island in 1992, has now used his contacts and persistence to do the same for motorbikes.
Finding the people with the right qualifications to instruct and test on the advanced bike syllabus was always going to be tough in a small Island, but the jigsaw pieces have now fallen into place.
Nigel Gregory used to limit his bike testing skills to within the ranks of the Island’s police, but he has now retired from the force so can step up to become the Island’s first advanced motorcycle examiner.
And now that Anthony Salmon’s driving school is up and running, he can turn some attention to pre-advanced test bike training, to make sure that candidates are ready for Nigel’s scrutiny.
John, who is chairman of the Jersey Advanced Drivers Association, said: ‘Until now, anyone wanting to take either the Institute of Advanced Motorists or Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents advanced motorcycle test had to go to the UK, but it is now available in the Island. It is worth remembering that there were 115 bike accidents in Jersey last year and it is seldom that a motorcyclist remains unscathed if he or she is involved in a collision.
‘An advanced rider demonstrates an all-round awareness for safety and is far less likely to have an accident. That is the key point, but they can also get discounts on insurance from the IAM or RSPA.’
Anthony, who is an advanced instructor and taught Compulsory Bike Training for nine years in Guernsey, explained what the advanced test is all about.
‘There is an emphasis on observation: looking ahead, choosing appropriate lines through bends, maintaining concentration, focusing around obstacles and other vehicles and taking into account hazards such as drains and manhole covers,’ he said. ‘Above all, it is about thinking and acting safely all the time.’
The test, which involves Nigel following on his bike, is about an hour long and costs £44. There is also a £18 annual membership fee to join the IAM. Anthony’s pre-test training costs £25 an hour and can involve two riders at a time if needs be.
• Picture: Anthony Salmon is the only advanced motorcycle test trainer in the Island
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