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Thought you guys may be interested in my latest blog about offsiding

http://www.motorcycledirect.co.uk/motorcycle-direct-club/blog-069-dont-stray-offside.php

 

Interesting! as I was taught/advised to use off-siding while on a bikesafe course, but it was about 8 years ago

 

The Police stopped teaching it on advanced courses about 15 years ago and about 10 years ago civilian instructors were told not to teach it.

In a crash situation, as I say in the article, I would find it very difficult to defend someone who had a crash whilst offsiding, which would leave the rider open to a prosecution for careless or dangerous driving and the other side would rub their hands with glee as far as liability is concerned.

But if the Police or any other organisation are still teaching it, then they also leave themselves open to a claim for contributory negligence and secondary liability.

Anyone still teaching offsiding is leaving themselves wide open for a massive claim against them.

 

Staying out for or after an overtake is very different to offsiding for the purpose of negotiating a left hand bend.

As we say at advanced level, never sacrifice safety for view. If view is compromised be prepared to reduce youe speed and be prepared to sacrifice your position, so for example move away from the dominant position.

Offsidoing is intended for taking left hand bends at speed and I cannot think of any situation where a non emergency rider can justify this practice anymore.

 

When i did bikesafe about 8 years ago no mention was made of offsiding. When i did the advanced 20 years ago they were huge on it. Some of the advanced lot were almost riding in the gutter of the r/h lane it was pathetic, still most of them took a corner like a 50p piece.