About Us
The Bury and Rochdale Advanced Motorists Group (BRAM) are one of about 180 groups across the country, run as independent charities, affiliated to The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM RoadSmart). We provide advice & guidance for Bikers & Drivers to take and pass the Advanced Rider & Driver Courses.
Who are we?
Bury and Rochdale Advanced Motorists was formed by the merger of the Bury Car Group and the Rochdale Advanced Motorcycle Group in 2015 and now caters for both car drivers and motorcyclists.
Bury Advanced Motorists was first formed in June 1980 and had been operating successfully creating numerous Advanced Drivers over its 35 years of operation.
Rochdale Advanced Motorcyclists was formed in 2000 and had significant success developing Advanced Riders over those 15 years.
By merging the two Groups we are able to offer a greater range of services to contribute to Road Safety in the Bury, Rochdale and surrounding areas as well as to continue to develop Advanced Drivers and Riders.
All of the Observers have been trained through the group to pass their advanced tests and remain with the team, each uses their particular skills to make the Group a continuing success.
We are a friendly, diverse bunch operating in a relaxed atmosphere and try to put our Associates at ease. We don’t bite and we’ve all been through the experience ourselves so we know how you feel.
What do we do?
Once you have registered for the Advanced Driver or Rider Course and selected BRAM as your choice of group and received you IAM RoadSmart pack, arrangements will be made with the relevant Associate Liaison Officer to commence your training course. This will normally be for six to twelve consecutive Sunday morning Observed Rides & Drives currently meeting at McDonald’s, Pilsworth for the Bikers and the PaperMill Pub, Pilsworth for the Drivers prompt at 9:30am.
At the commencement of your course ,you will be asked to sign a declaration stating that your vehicle is Taxed, Insured and MOT’d (if necessary).
You will need to remember to bring your Course Logbook with you.
You will then be matched up with one of our volunteer Observers for each session when he or she will discuss your Driving or Riding experience, outline what will be expected of you on the Drive / Ride and explain the route. The route will typically follow urban, motorway and national speed limit roads and will cover about 40-50 miles taking around 1.5 hours. The run normally ends at a refreshment stop where you will have the opportunity to treat the Observer to a brew before the short debrief session.
The practical on the road sessions will be complemented by reference to the IAM RoadSmart’s publication ‘Advanced Rider or Driver Course Logbook’ which you will receive in your joining pack, and the ‘Highway Code’.
If you can’t make Sunday mornings, we have availability for mid-week Drives / Rides by prior arrangement.
For Motorcyclists:
Please remember to wear a high visibility jerkin or jacket and appropriate clothing/gloves/boots/helmet.
Your Bike must be road legal for the session to commence.
For Drivers:
The Observed sessions will be conducted in your own vehicle and you will be accompanied by one of our Observers.
Your Car must be road legal for the session to commence.
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The Bury and Rochdale Advanced Motorists Group (BRAM) are one of about 180 groups across the country, run as independent charities, affiliated to The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM RoadSmart). We provide advice & guidance for Bikers & Drivers to take and pass the Advanced Rider & Driver Courses.