Thinking of getting back on your bike this Spring after some time away?

If you are, there are some golden rules to follow if you are to do so in safety…

It may be as recently as autumn when you were last out on your bike – or it could be even longer than that. There are plenty of riders who love their bikes but give them up for family reasons, only to return to two wheels in their 40s and 50s.

Whichever it is, a few months or a few years, we want to get you thinking about what you need to do before you ride off on your first adventure. Here are some hints and tips

Fit for the job?

Have you kept yourself fit? Riding a motorcycle requires good levels of fitness, sharp reflexes, good vision and flexibility. Before venturing back out on your bike think about whether you are in shape to ride. It might not be a bad idea to have a medical to make sure you are okay, particularly if it’s been a few years out of the saddle.

Have an eyesight check; it’s our ability to spot dangers that’s key to keeping us safe.

Licence in place?

If it’s been a few years since you last rode, are you still licensed to ride? The rules around bike licences change over time, which is why the DVLA has produced a chart for you to make sure your licence is up to date.

It can be found here

Also, are you insured? If it has been a few years ago since you were last on a bike, the answer is obviously no, but if it was last year, just check your insurance is still valid and hasn’t lapsed in the meantime.

Finally, if you are hopping on a bike that’s been in storage, does it still have an MoT in place?

Well done if it does, but if it has been lying low for a while, a thorough service will be required before you take it out.