Police Motorcyclists partners with MCE Insurance

Helen Reid, expert motorcycle insurance advisor joins Metropolitan Police operation

As founding members of the Motorcycle Industry Associations "Motorcycle Safety Committee" MCE have always been a forefront of safe riding. By working closely with Bike Safe and Scooter Safe the Metropolitan Police lined up an exciting, hands on training day for some of MCE's people. The training day exclusively allowed MCE people to join the police team on live operations, focusing on clamping down on uninsured riding and changing riders attitude to motorcycle safety.

Helen Reid, a bike insurance expert from the MCE took part in the day, Big Ed had a few questions to ask!

Big Ed: Helen, what did your day consist of?
Helen: "I met the police at a secret location on the outskirts of London, before riding with them to a local town to start the day's operations. We set up on a corner, checking speeds of riders as well as monitoring other safety concerns such as loose items on bikes and unsuitable riding clothing. We then went into London itself and were dealing with issues such as unsafe pillion riders and bikes being driven without insurance or tax".

Big Ed: What did you learn during your day with the police?
Helen "I was amazed at how many people are riding around endangering their safety, as well as others. The frightening thing is that they don't really seem to realise that they are unsafe on the road. I think the BikeSafe scheme is really helpful in raising their awareness of these issues before it is too late".

Big Ed: What were the attitudes of the riders that you saw pulled over?
Helen "They were not aggressive as I thought they might be. The police do a great job of explaining exactly why the person has been pulled over and how their particular issue can endanger their lives. Most people were re-educated then left to go on their way. One chap, however, was riding without a license or insurance and he's facing bills and fines of over £300, as well as the threat of his bike being crushed within a month if he has not paid up".

Big Ed: Would you like to do the job full-time?
Helen "I really enjoyed my day out and found it interesting and exciting at the same time. I'm not sure I could wear those heavy jackets all day though, especially in the bright sunshine!!"

If you would like Helen to quote for your bike or scooter insurance call 0844 338 68 88.

For more information about safe riding visit http://www.bikesafe-london.co.uk, http://www.bikesafe-london.co.uk/courses/scootersafe-london.php