About RoSPA NZ

RoSPA New Zealand – background and context

RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) is a UK based charitable organisation that places a significant focus on motorcycle rider training to enhance road safety practices. The approach revolves around several key principles:

· Advanced Training: RoSPA promotes advanced motorcycle education & training programs, such as the RoSPA Advanced Motorcycle Test. This test assesses a rider's skills, knowledge, and hazard awareness, encouraging riders to continuously improve their abilities.

· Lifelong Learning: RoSPA encourages a culture of lifelong learning for motorcyclists. They emphasise the importance of staying updated on road safety regulations and adopting a proactive attitude toward personal skill development.

· Risk Management: The organisation emphasises risk management and hazard awareness. RoSPA believes that by recognising and mitigating potential dangers on the road, riders can significantly reduce their accident risks.

· Instructor Training: RoSPA provides support for motorcycle instructors, ensuring that they are well-equipped to pass on safe riding practices and promote the organisation's principles to new and experienced riders. Achieving a Silver result in the RoSPA Advanced Motorcycle Test, counts as an exemption to the NZTA Advanced Motorcycle Test required by new/trainee instructors, enabling them to progress through their career pathway. Ideally they would then work towards a Gold pass to further develop their skills in line with "best practice", ultimately progressing to the RoSPA Level 3 Award in Advanced Motorcycle Instructor Training.

· Community Engagement: RoSPA engages with the motorcycling community through outreach programs, safety events, and partnerships with motorcycle clubs. These efforts aim to raise awareness about safe riding practices and encourage riders to participate in training programs.

· Research and Advocacy: RoSPA conducts research to better understand motorcycle safety issues and advocates for policies that enhance motorcycle safety, such as improved road infrastructure and increased driver awareness.

In summary, RoSPA's focus on motorcycle riding training in the UK revolves around these six core principles, advanced training, lifelong learning, risk management, instructor training, community engagement, and research and advocacy. Their comprehensive approach aims to reduce motorcycle accidents and promote safe riding practices among all motorcyclists.

Advanced training utilises the system of riding known as RoadCraft. This can be found in “The Motorcycle Roadcraft Police Riders Handbook", a comprehensive guide developed by the UK police to enhance motorcycle riding skills and safety for police officers and civilian riders alike. It provides advanced riding techniques and principles to promote safer and more effective riding on the roads.

The handbook covers various topics, including:

· Observation: Emphasises the importance of continuous awareness of the road and surrounding environment, encouraging riders to anticipate potential hazards.

· Defensive Riding: Promotes a proactive mindset, encouraging riders to be ready for unexpected situations and act defensively to avoid accidents. 

· Positioning: Teaches riders how to position themselves optimally on the road to maximise visibility and safety, particularly in corners and intersections.

· Cornering: Offers guidance on maintaining control and stability while negotiating bends, emphasising the concept of "slow in, fast out."

· Overtaking: Provides strategies for safe overtaking, considering factors like speed, visibility, and potential risks.

· Junctions: Focuses on safely approaching and crossing intersections, covering the concept of "lifesaver" checks to scan for potential hazards.

· Hazard Perception: Helps riders identify and respond to various hazards promptly, such as pedestrians, vehicles, and road conditions.

· Motorway Riding: Offers advice on handling high-speed situations on motorways, including lane discipline and dealing with emergencies.

· Bike Handling: Discusses techniques for smooth and precise control of the motorcycle, enhancing overall safety and confidence.

· Braking: Covers proper braking methods and the importance of maintaining a safe following distance from other vehicles.

· Visibility: Focuses on increasing visibility through effective use of headlights, high-visibility gear, and positioning on the road.

The handbook aims to instill a sense of responsibility and professionalism in motorcycle riders, emphasising that their actions can influence the safety of themselves and others on the road. By applying the principles outlined in the Motorcycle Roadcraft Police Riders Handbook, riders can significantly reduce the risks associated with motorcycling and become more skilled, competent, and safe road users.

RoSPA New Zealand, “RoSPA NZ” is a NZ registered charity formed in March 2023. We embrace all the principles outlined above. Our strategy is focused on developing the capability to mentor the skills of RoadCraft with riders who have the right attitude & approach to their riding. Our aim is to progress riders to the RoSPA test standard and help them maintain the necessary skills to enjoy riding to an advanced standard. Mentoring of riders who want to improve their skills is undertaken under the observation of Tutors who do so on a voluntary basis. Assessment of the NZ test is undertaken by a NZ Examiner who has been certified in the UK to the RoSPA Gold Standard. We have a strong focus on social riding and both single and multi-day rides are organised on a regular basis. There will be a developing focus on a ‘train the trainer’ approach however this will not diminish the social riding aspect – riding for the pure enjoyment, to a safe & repeatable standard is what motorcycling is all about!