Introduction
As an IAM Roadsmart affiliate, EKAM supports IAM Roadsmart by delivering the courses they sell.
All EKAM’s observers have qualified to IMI/IAM National Observer standard. The IMI (Institute of the Motor Industry) was created to establish new skills and knowledge benchmarks for the automotive industry. The IAM Roadsmart National Observer qualification is monitored and overseen by the IMI and is seen as a motor industry wide qualification. Some of EKAM’s observers are also qualified IAM Masters Mentors.
Advanced rider
Advanced riding takes what you already know and makes it sharper, safer and more skilful. It could mean: Improving your cornering with smoother control, seeing hazards earlier and planning ahead and riding with real confidence. The training is based on the police system of motorcycle control, the same approach used by emergency services.
Upon enrolment, an IMI qualified IAM National Observer from EKAM will be assigned to the associate and they will work together 1-to-1 to develop advanced riding skills and theoretical knowledge. A classroom session called Introduction to Advanced Motorcycling and a Slow Riding course is included in the course. The only thing the associate needs to sign up is a full motorcycle licence and their own bike.
Click here to learn more about the EKAM Advanced Rider Course.
Members riding assessment
Members Riding Assessment (MRA) is an IAM Roadsmart course. Any member can at any time buy the course from IAM Roadsmart. This course is usually undertaken as a second stage training, to aim for a F1rst in the Advanced Rider Test or as a brush up on skills for current EKAM members.
An EKAM observer will be assigned, and they will work together to develop advanced on the road riding skills and theoretical knowledge to the level aspired to by the member. Once the member and observer agree they are ready to take the IAM Roadsmart Assessment, a senior National Observer will make a ready for test judgement.
EKAM encourages further training and are willing to sponsor the MRA associate with a 100% reimbursement of the course fee upon getting a F1rst for 5 club members per year. Contact the Chief Observer to sign up for an MRA and to apply for this reimbursement.
Member’s refresher
EKAM offers any member a bespoke refresher course. This course is specifically aimed at members who want to refresh their skills but not take a test with an IAM Examiner. The scope could be to review and work on a specific aspect – or a full review – of riding to any level, up to and including IAM Roadsmart Advanced Rider F1rst.
An EKAM observer will be assigned and they will work together to agree and develop advanced on the road riding skills and theoretical knowledge to the level required by the member. No pre-test assessment or IAM Test is expected but a member can decide to switch to a Members Riding Assessment course at any time.
Fellows
Fellow membership offers enhanced recognition by IAM Roadsmart to full members who commit to keeping their advanced skills up to date. This commitment is demonstrated by retaking the Advanced test every three years.
EKAM supports Fellow Members by providing a Members Refresher in advance of their 3 yearly tests. Fellow Members can contact the Chief Observer to arrange for an observer to help them prepare for the test. If the member requires a pre-test check by a second set of eyes they can ask their observer to arrange this before they proceed to arrange their 3 yearly test with IAM Roadsmart.
Masters rider
EKAM is committed to encouraging members development to achieve their Masters, the highest IAM Roadsmart riding qualification. The Masters course is built on the same system as the other IAM courses but to a higher standard. EKAM Members who have yet to achieve a F1rst may want to complete the IAM Roadsmart Members Riding Assessment as a stepping stone before embarking on the Masters programme.
EKAM sponsors their members who complete the Masters course by reimbursing them 50 % of the course cost upon test pass. This is open to four members per year, please contact the Chief Observer about this offer.
Free taster ride
EKAM supports IAM Roadsmart by making available IAM National Observers to conduct Free Taster Rides to any member of the public holding a full motorcycle licence. EKAM also hosts open evenings when National Observers are on hand to provide Free Taster Rides as part of local recruitment campaigns.
Contact the EKAM Membership Secretary to find out about Open Evenings or arranging a Free Taster Ride locally or via IAM Roadsmart – click here for details.
EKAM does not supply vehicles for any level of Taster or Training. The candidate needs to supply a vehicle that is fully road legal and that the candidate is legally entitled to ride.
Observer training
As members of EKAM all aspiring observers will have had first hand knowledge of how their observers were able to coach them to success on their IAM Advanced test. Observers work one-to-one, observing rides coaching associates and members on IAM Roadsmart courses to pass. When an associate passes, it’s a great feeling for the observer knowing they played an important part in the associate’s safety and success.
If you are interested in becoming an observer you should contact the Chief Observer to discuss your suitability to the role. If it is agreed to start observer training you will be registered as a trainee with IAM Roadsmart and they will register you with the IMI (Institute of the Motor Industry).
Once registered with the IMI and IAM Roadsmart you will be allocated to a senior EKAM IAM National Observer Mentor to learn the riding, observing, coaching and technical skills to qualify as an IAM National Observer. Once a mentor considers a candidate’s is ready for the IAM National Observer assessment EKAM’s National Observer Training Officer will conduct a local assessment. They will make a ready for assessment judgement and either declare the candidate “Test Ready” and advise the candidate on how the IAM Assessment is arranged or they may give guidance on which aspects need some further polishing before applying for the assessment.
EKAM depends on its volunteer Observer Corps and wants to make the step of becoming an observer a bit easier. EKAM sponsors any new Observers with:
- £50 upon National Observer Test pass
- £50 upon their first associate passing the Advanced Rider Test
- £50 for any Observer passing the Master Rider Course
- A discount on their EKAM membership fee based on the amount of associate rides undertaken that year.
Please contact the Chief Observer for more information.
Training weekend
A great way to ramp up your training is to join the annual training weekend, a two day trip with a hotel night. The destination may vary from year to year, previous destinations have been Peterborough and Basingstoke. This is a great opportunity to get more training in. Associates are paired up and get assigned an Observer for one ride and debrief each, with the resting associate shadowing behind the observer. Over two days each associate gets four observed rides with different observers and a fun group ride on the way back to Kent. Any Associate at any level is welcome to book as we have plenty of Observers and Masters Mentors riding.
Information will show up in eNews, or you can contact the Chief Observer for more information and booking.
Slow riding skills
Slow speed riding is one of the most essential skill sets for any motorcyclist – whether navigating tight turns, filtering, heavy traffic, combined spaces, or low-speed manoeuvres such as U-turns.
Click here for details of EKAM’s slow riding skills course.
Under 30’s
Are you under 30 and want to get your Advanced Rider Qualification? If you do, East Kent Advanced Motorcyclists will reimburse you the entire course fee when you pass your test. You will only need to pay a small petrol contribution for each observed ride.
