BAHRAIN’S bikers and delivery drivers are being given a crash course on how to handle their two-wheeled vehicles in a bid to raise awareness about safety on roads.
A group of like-minded motorcycle enthusiasts started a Rider Safety Workshop in 2016 to hone their skills and now it’s running every Saturday at 6.30am in association with Dana Mall, as well as in Salman City, to improve technique, build confidence and ensure safety.
“We organise free practice sessions for new and experienced riders to improve their skills,” said Madhu P Nair, a 43-year-old computer engineer who has been riding for more than 25 years. He has attended multiple basic and advanced training for safe rider skills with Harley Owners Group road team and road captain Theo Verkamman – a veteran Harley Davidson official trainer – as well as those organised by other motorcycle clubs in Bahrain.
“Currently, we organise weekly sessions in Dana Mall’s parking area as well as in an open ground in Salman City,” he said.
“I joined the group to practise with other experienced road captains in Bahrain, which helped me improve my skills to a point that I am confident on the road to handle various situations as well as to impart the knowledge I gained to my fellow riders.”
The group has 125 members, ranging in age and nationalities, who ride different categories of bikes ... from touring to adventure.
“Attending a training to learn the skill is not enough,” Mr Nair added. “Only with regular practice in a controlled environment, concentrating on very basic skills, one at a time, can one build skills and techniques into muscle memory.”
Mr Nair and Stefan Malinowski, a 49-year-old musician who has been riding for 30 years having learned from UK police, are currently handling these sessions. Together, they hope to create a worry free and safe experience for fellow riders who are out on the roads, as over the years, many tragedies have struck bikers, particularly delivery drivers.
The GDN earlier reported that a total of 115 motorcyclists were injured in 2020 of which 12 were fatal.
“For motorcyclists, proper gear is vital,” said Mr Malinowski, who recently completed a BMW advanced riding course.
“You never know when an accident might occur through no fault of your own, that’s why we call them accidents.
“I know it’s difficult in the heat, but we say sweating is more fun than bleeding. Always wear a high quality helmet, properly fastened, gloves with armour and boots that protect the ankles. Motorcyclists also need to be fully aware of their surroundings and other vehicles’ blind spots. Motorcycles are not magical and cannot ‘appear out of nowhere’ as some people claim.
“We do, however, often surprise drivers who are not paying attention or even using their mirrors before manoeuvring. We can mitigate that risk with good positioning for visibility and sensible filtering in slow traffic.”
Mr Malinowski also advises drivers to put down their phones as ‘no call or message is more important than your safety’.
“At the moment we are not doing any on-the-road awareness training, but I would be very keen to develop that aspect,” he added. “We are happy to help anyone who shows up for a session, including delivery riders.”
The sessions are free and according to Mr Nair, anyone with a valid motorcycle licence is welcome to join.
“We share techniques with others with primary focus on slow riding, motorcycle handling skills and emergency braking,” said Mr Nair.
“Remember to be mindful and considerate to other road users, especially pedestrians and motorcyclists.
“An unfortunate event you may cause on the road might only result in some cosmetic damage to your vehicle, but would be fatal for those who are either on two wheels or foot!”
For details, follow @rswbahrain on Instagram.
mai@gdnmedia.bh
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