How much will it cost?

The IAM RoadSmart cost is currently £215.00 to sign up, this includes the first years membership of your course and your final test (if within the first 2 years provided you renew your annual membership). In addition to this, we ask for a contributions to your observers fuel expenses of £ 15.00 per ride generally paid as £ 75.00 at the start of the course. Any special offers will be shown on our Facebook page

When are Manchester 500 RoadSmart Courses run?

From March until November, usually on the first and third Saturday of each month, the dates are published in the group Calendar of Events. Courses start March, June and September.

What happens if I can’t attend?

We understand that sometimes people will have difficulties attending due to work or family etc., and whilst we expect that you will make every effort to be present at each appointed run, if this is not possible we will endeavour to accommodate you.

Are you the IAM?

We are not the IAM , we are a road safety charity in our own right, but we are affiliated to the IAM and authorised to deliver their RoadSmart course.

Who will be my coach?

We run the course in such a way that we try to ensure a different Observer is with you on each coaching modual, but you will be assigned one Observers as a mentor who will follow your progress and support your development towards test standard.

Do I need to take the test?

Not if you don’t want to. Some people simply wish to improve their riding, and we are happy to support them. Alternatively you may elect to attain full membership status using our Membership By Portfolio option. This is basically the same course but with no exam. We will coach you in the normal way, but there will be no test at the end an provided we have amassed enough evidence of your development and ability to ride at test standard, this paperwork is then reviewed by IAM Roadsmaft HQ staff who make the final decision.

What bike do I need?

Any road legal motorcycle that is capable of maintaining the national speed limit safely and a full license to ride the machine. We reserve the right to refuse anyone if they or their bike are not fit for the road.

How much practice will I need?

Depends on your ability to start with, but you will be given things to practice and this should represent several hours of focused riding between Observed rides.

How is the course structured?

The course is based on “The System (IPSGA)” . Want to know more, our course booklet is here.

MyRouteApp?

We use Myrouteapp to share ride route information. When you sign up you get a free trial of the Gold membership but it will revert to the free version after 1 month. This is sufficient to view and download the routes. You can download various formats to use on personal Satnav devices. This is not a navigation app although there is one available from the site for a fee. Selecting and downloading routes is covered in this document.

How do I sign up?

Click on thie IAM Roadsmart Logo and follow the on screen instructions

Where do we meet?

We use the GMP Hough End Sports & Social club as our base, for the majority of our rides.

How long are the Observed rides?

It depends. Each of the rides is around 40 to 50 miles in length sometimes a little shorter, sometimes a little longer. During this ride there will be several breaks for discussions. We aim to start by 9am and finish at a Café around lunchtime.

What if I can’t complete in 3 months?

Provided you are working with us we will work with you to achieve your potential as a safe rider.

What is WhenAvailable?

WhenAvailable is a web service we use to understand who can or cannot attend a nominated run. A link will be emailed to Associates before the start of each month.