The annual AIRSO Motorcycle Conference is approaching. Hosted once again by The Hinckley Island Hotel on Wednesday 31st August 2016 the cost for this day-long conference is £80 or £70 for AIRSO members. If you would like details or wish to book please contact Sandra Macdonald-Ames using sandra@airso.org.uk
Hosted once again by Karen Cole, Director of Safety and Training for the Motorcycle Industry Association, this year has a wide variety of speakers discussing some very topical issues, many of which will be of interest to the Emergency Services, Motorcycle Dealerships and Trainers, Road Safety Professionals and anyone else interested in motorcycles and rider safety.
The day starts off with Sam Manicom who is back by popular demand. Sam is an author and publisher of motorcycle travel books and will be taking a look at the laws surrounding motorcycles worldwide. This will be a light hearted and very enjoyable but informative session, with some amazing photographs of the many places Sam has visited.
Gareth Morgan Driver Training Standards Manager and keen motorcyclist will be looking at the use of Stingers to tackle motorcycle criminality. Historically the police have been reluctant to use stopping devices on motorcycles for safety reasons. In conjunction with the national police pursuits review working party Gareth has looked at this issue and challenged the historic position.
Continuing with enforcement, Nick Croft, a senior advisor with Road safety Support will present ‘Points or Prison’. This is a very thought provoking and interesting presentation, on a topic that often divides opinion.
After a short break the conference turns to longer term issues for rider safety. This section begins with Steve Kenward, the CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Association updating delegates on the progress made over the last 2 years to deliver actions within the Motorcycle Safety and Transport Policy Framework (MSTP) which encourages more motorcycling to reduce casualties.
This is followed by John Spencer, Casualty Reduction Manager for Northamptonshire County Council. Northamptonshire have adopted the MSTP and are the first council to actively encourage more people to use a motorcycle. John will explain why, as well as updating delegates on progress so far.
The emphasis now moves to motorcycle training and this section begins with Jenny Luckman – Motorcycle Safety Manager, Motorcycle Industry Association who will discuss the need for the industry to launch its own accreditation centre. She will also look at progress over the past 24 months with a particular focus on customer feedback surveys, demonstrating why continuous quality assurance is so important. Jenny is followed by Howard Dale General Manager of Kawasaki Motors UK who will discuss how motorcycle dealerships and ATBs can benefit from working together and how this partnership can benefit customers and improve safety. Howard will introduce the Kawasaki Rider Training scheme and explain why Kawasaki are investing in this new project.
After lunch, Chris Hardy Director of Motoairbag UK will be restarting the conference with a bang! Chris will explain and demonstrate the technology behind airbag protectors and how they reduce injury, as well as discussing the thorny issue of VAT on protective clothing for motorcyclists. Following Chris is Mark Jaffe Chief Examiner (Diamond) – Driving Instructors Association who will host a session on advanced riding and how this can be developed, especially in the corporate sector.
The day will close with a presentation from Mark Winn the Head of Motorcycling for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Mark is also back by popular demand following a very interesting presentation last year, and will make sure all delegates leave knowing what the DVSA has planned for trainers and motorcycle training in the future.
