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If you don’t ride you don’t know: tips from IAM RoadSmart

 

  • Carry an emergency kit. This can consist of spare light bulbs, a continental adapter to help charge your mobile or other electrical items you may carry during your journey and tie downs which are useful on ferry journeys to ensure your bike is secure and isn’t going to move. Make sure you are there when it is strapped to avoid accidental damage

     

  • Make sure you have the right insurance; policies normally have a European extension but you need to check. In the event of a breakdown you want to make sure you have international coverage and also know what numbers and companies to get in touch with. Make sure you check the finer details of what the policy actually covers

     

  • Plan your journey. Some sat navs do not function internationally and unless you have a lot of data it can be costly using your phone as a navigation system. It is better to go old school, use a map and know where you are going prior to setting off

 

  • Make sure you have the right documentation. We recommend taking your full driving licence, your insurance documents, both bike and travel documents, you vehicle registration certificate and lastly European Health Insurance Cards and passports, dependent on your destination

     

  • Check your machine before you leave. If you are not up-to-date with your bike servicing we recommend going in for a service to avoid any problems whilst on your trip. Remember the tyres; they need to be legal at the end of the trip not just the start

 

Richard said: “A continental jaunt is a great way to explore your bike and take in some new roads and scenery, but proper planning is essential to making the trip a success. Whilst we are all looking to have a great trip, and occasionally things go wrong and we have to be prepared. I recommend attending a ‘Biker Down’ course which will give you the confidence to help and the expertise to be effective in first aid and keeping others safe.

Having all of your documentation to hand will assist in coping with any breakdown or incident and the emergency lines will always give you access to English speaking help. Stay safe and enjoy a continental summer.”


ENDS

Notes to editors:

  1. Richard Gladman is IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards.
  2. IAM RoadSmart has a mission to make better drivers and riders in order to improve road safety, inspire confidence and make driving and riding enjoyable. It does this through a range of courses for all road users, from online assessments through to the advanced driving and riding tests. IAM RoadSmart is the trading name of all businesses operated by the UK’s largest road safety charity, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and was formed in April 2016 combining the IAM, IAM Drive & Survive, PDS and IAM Driver Retraining Academy. The organisation has 92,000 members and campaigns on road safety on their behalf. At any one time there are over 7,000 drivers and riders actively engaged with IAM RoadSmart’s courses, from members of the public to company drivers, while our Driver Retraining Academy has helped 2,500 drivers to shorten their bans through education and support programmes.

To find out more about IAM RoadSmart products and services visit the new website www.iamroadsmart.com

To find out the name of your own local IAM RoadSmart group please visit: https://wwwiamroadsmart.com/local-groups

Media contacts:

Further information from:

IAM RoadSmart press office – 020 8996 9777 

press.office@iam.org.uk / www.iamroadsmart.com

ISDN broadcast lines available

Follow us:

On Facebook: www.facebook.com/IAMRoadSmart

On Twitter: @IAMRoadSmart   

ENDS ALL