The Institute of Advanced Motorists run a "Skill for Life" Programme that will help make you a safer, more responsible rider and save you money too. One of UV Bikers members, Colin Opie, is a qualified Senior Observer for this IAM Programme and offers a substantial 32% refund to any member of Upton Vale who wishes to undergo this training.

How does this work? The IAM charge £139 for the whole package. The course is organised via local IAM Bike Groups, in this case Exeter, and Colin will organise your entry into the programme with that Group (Devon Advanced Motorcyclists). This Group, in line with others around the country, will ask for an additional £65 to cover Observer (trainer) costs, such as fuel. Colin, who will be your Observer, will either refund that to you straight away or when he receives his Observer expenses near the end of your course, usually once you have passed your IAM Advanced Test. Just tell Colin which of these two options you are happy with.

Why? Because although the IAM Skills for Life Programme is a phenomenal course at a hugely discounted price to taking Advanced Rider courses commercially, the cost at £204 can still be daunting for many, especially in the current economic climate (2011). So Colin is offering to train you to Test standard without recuperating his expenses in doing so. In short, he would prefer to see riders take the course and stay alive, rather than put off doing it purely on the grounds of cost.

The only constraint on this offer is that those wishing to take it up will have to enter the programme and then wait until Colin has free space on his Associate (name given to riders on the course) list, as all riders coming to DAM are allocated an Observer in their area in strict rotation.

For more information call Colin on 01803-315255, or email him at colin.opie@advancedmotorcyclists.org.uk