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Get more from your PTW riding with a ScooterSafe-London rider skills assessment day. Led by experienced motorcycle officers from the Metropolitan Police, the ScooterSafe-London courses are aimed at owners of sub-250cc scooter and mopeds, not bigger bikes. Your day's training will give you real confidence in the way you handle your PTW on the capital's busy roads. You'll be taught observation techniques so you're more aware of what's going on around you, the best positions to take up on the road and the safest way to filter through traffic. Most importantly, the day will get you thinking like a PTW rider, helping develop the instincts you need to keep yourself safe on the road. The course includes a classroom session followed by an observed ride on urban roads. After that you'll be given tailored advice on what the officers have observed, along with hints to improve your riding technique and tips on bike maintenance and other safety issues. Courses are held regularly through the year at two sites: London Gateway Services M1, in north London, and The Warren, for south London. They cost just £45 for the day, including lunch, with discounts available for multiple bookings. All you need bring is a roadworthy scooter or moped, your UK driving licence (both parts if it's a photo licence), a valid MOT certificate (if required) and an insurance certificate. Anyone who lives, works, or studies in Lambeth can do the BikeSafe or ScooterSafe courses free of charge by contacting roadsafety@lambeth.gov.uk. Those living or working in Kensington and Chelsea can access the course for free if they email road.safety@rbkc.gov.uk and ask for a Bikesafe or Scootersafe voucher code.
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It's hot in the city – and what better way to keep cool on your way to and from work than to ride into London on your scooter. But don't think that the warmer days mean you can compromise on your biking clothing. Warm weather or not, if you take a tumble from your PTW and kiss the road, you'll end up with scrapes and scars that will never go with this summer's fashions. Shorts, skirts, sandals and t-shirts might seem like the right clothes for the season but they are not the right gear for biking. They offer you no protection in the event of a fall from your bike and even the slowest speed tumble can lead to injuries you'll regret for a long time. Always wear long trousers and solid footwear, keep your arms covered and never be tempted to ride without your helmet. Specialist motorbike trousers and jackets might seem over the top but they'll prevent you suffering in the event of a fall. If your budget doesn't run to full biking gear, tough outdoor trousers made with Cordura fabric or similar are ideal for riding and will offer your legs some protection, while for the upper body, hard-wearing, full arm-length jackets are a must. Don't wear your best Jimmy Choos: slip-on boots that at least cover the ankle are a safer, though less stylish, alternative… and don't ride without gloves. Lightweight biking gloves will stop your sweating hands slipping on the handlebars and save your skin if you come a cropper.
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Drink & Drugs RIDING a powered two wheeler in London requires a sharp mind, quick reflexes and good vision to keep you safe – but you'll find all of these impaired if you get on board your scooter or moped after having a drink or using drugs. After drinking or drug use, the brain works inefficiently, taking longer to receive messages from the eye; processing information becomes more difficult and instructions to the muscles are delayed. The reflexes are dulled just when you need to keep them sharp for riding, leaving you vulnerable to making the kind of mistakes that can prove fatal. Even the smallest amounts of alcohol and drugs can slow down reaction times by between 10 to 30 per cent and as a result is a contributing factor in hundreds of biking accidents every year even when the rider is below the current limit. Drink and drugs reduces the ability to perform two or more tasks at the same time – such as steering and watching other road users, for example – and can reduce vision by as much as 25 per cent. In addition, drug riders can suffer from erratic and aggressive behaviour, an inability to concentrate properly, nausea, hallucinations and dizziness – hardly the ideal state to be in when in control of a two-wheeled machine that requires excellent balance, co-ordination and control. Mixing drink and drugs will be even more dangerous causing unpredictable effects on your riding skills.
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Hopping on to a moped or scooter to beat the traffic and cut down on cost is fast becoming the way to commute into London - but it's not without its difficulties. Most scooters and mopeds have storage space underneath the seat but it's usually too small for anything bigger than a small handbag or personal organiser. That's why many riders have invested in accessories such as panniers or top boxes to carry their valuables. Top boxes are safer as they don't alter the streamlined dynamics of your bike and the weight is more centrally located but be warned: make sure you lock the box securely before setting off: if you are involved in a front-on collision the last thing you want is to be hit from behind by your own cargo! Finally, be aware of sneak thieves: thefts from PTWs do happen, so always make sure you keep valuables hidden away from sight and keep your panniers and top box locked at all times.
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