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Dealing with roads in the 21st century requires a holistic approach, where the rider understands the importance of the interdependence of technical riding ability, rider attitude, correct knowledge and brain training.

We explain that advanced riding isn't simply about mastering mechanical skills or giving a flawless ride in front of an examiner, but requires a pragmatic approach to riding that accepts that everyone - ourselves included - make mistakes.

You'll gain a better understanding of where and accidents happen and learn how, why and where drivers and riders foul up. Knowing that, you'll learn to how to avoid those situations where possible, and how to get out of trouble where you can't; we teach Survival Skills.

The end benefit of understanding danger is a reduction in the number of nasty surprises, and a ride with less risk and MUCH MORE FUN on the bike!

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Find out more about the structure of Survival Skills courses

See also our "Sport Psychology" e-Course.

Survival Skills Training Courses look at four areas:

• technical skills (can you handle the bike to put it where you want to be?)
• attitude (can you control impatience, aggression/victim mentality, and avoid "power struggles" with other road users, do you plan for disaster?)
• knowledge (are your decisions based on a full understanding of the hazard, the various directions in which the situation may develop, and the risk to you, and the harm that may result if you cannot avoid it?)
• mental drills ("brain training" is the essential fourth element that allow the skills you've learned to 'gel' missing from many training regimes).

By showing you simple mental drills to go with the practical riding exercises, we ensure the learning you've developed on your course will be retained in the long term, allowing you to ride using your mind rather than instincts!

 

Select a linkRegular Rider?Baffled by Bends?Nervous Newbie?Creaky Born AgainConfused Commuter?Wobbling into Winter?Anxious for Adventure?Serious about Psychology?Refreshing your memory?Fantastique FranceOther coursesGroup & Club Training?Group Nights

Not sure which practical riding course would suit you?
Choose your riding style from the pull down list above, click the GO button, and see what training Survival Skills can offer you!

By looking at 'focus' & 'centering' to get "in the zone", and exploring how the body learns mechanical skills (muscle memory), examining the problems of visual perception, and how to learn automatic responses danger, we avoid delayed decision making and inappropriate reactions" to danger.

What's the difference between Survival Skills & IAM/RoSPA?

I'll let one of my trainees answer that. John did a training day with me back in May and this is what he has to say:

I have passed IAM and RoSPA tests, but the Survival Skills experience opens up another perspective on the whole bike skill enhancement arena providing both practical help and ideas to reflect upon. Keep up the good work!
John Challis, August 29, 2009

"I definitely like to know the why/how. The thing is, riding seems to be a balance of positions that are all relative, for example there's too slow/fast, too much/little throttle, too gentle/harsh, front/rear, too close/far from... Everybody seems to have their own approach to riding, and it takes time to find safe/effective positions for yourself. The approach you teach helps because you declare a positive position, and can back it up with a 'why' I can agree with and work with."
(Bev, June 07 after Confidence Builder and Bends courses)

Survival Skills delivers fully researched training with key elements drawn from a variety of different sources including Motorcycle Roadcraft, Keith Code's 'Twist of the Wrist', Driving Standard Agency publications, the MSF 'Experienced Rider Course' from the USA, UK police videos and the 'Ride On' safety program from the Australian Federal Office of Road Safety.

Survival Skills was an early adopter of "Best Practice" within the motorcycle training industry. Where possible, training routes are pre-surveyed and risk-assessed. Our reporting system is loosely based on Malcolm Palmer's innovative 'Whole Rider' system.

Most courses are a mixture of theory and discussion sessions, mixing practical riding tuition with exploring theory, feature written debriefs and video footage on CDROM, and come with full e-mail based 'after sales service'.

By using a combination of structured training and fault-fixing coaching based on riding assessments, our on-road advanced training is flexible and personalised, and will offer new ideas for you to try as well as the opportunity to fix existing problems.

Survival Skills pioneered and makes full use of modern training aids like portable video presentations, radios and on-bike video.