Motorcyclists across Scotland are being encouraged to enrol in Rider Refinement courses running between April and October 2026 as part of efforts to reduce road deaths.
More than 40 one day sessions will take place nationwide, led by officers from Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit and supported by observers from IAM RoadSmart.
The renewed call follows a joint study by Police Scotland and Transport Scotland published in 2025 examining motorcycle fatalities between January 2015 and August 2024.
The study found that 269 people, including 253 riders and 16 passengers, were killed during that period, with motorcyclists accounting for 18% of all road fatalities despite making up less than 1% of traffic.
The full day Rider Refinement course costs £65 and includes lunch, demonstration rides, safety inputs, open discussion and vehicle checks.
Officers also examine participants’ bikes and run through the safety checks riders should carry out before setting off.
Andrew Stewart, who took part in the course last year and has since progressed to advanced training, said:
“The overall experience of Rider Refinement was a very positive one and after completing the course I felt like a more confident and accomplished rider, but I also knew that I could then do more to make myself safer, so I took part in an IAM advanced rider course and was really happy to secure a good passing grade.
“I saw the level of professionalism and dedication being put into these courses and quickly understood that being a safe motorcycle rider was not just about passing your test and getting your licence, but about continually refreshing your knowledge and playing an active role in road safety.
“With that in mind, I have started my journey to becoming an IAM observer and will hopefully complete all my training soon so I can be part of Rider Refinement courses in years to come.”
Superintendent Andrew Barclay, Deputy Head of Road Policing for Scotland, said:
“We know that motorcyclists make up a disproportionate percentage of those killed or seriously injured on our roads each year and we are committed to engaging with this group and providing them with all the support, advice and information to keep them safes while out on their bikes.
“We are grateful for the support of IAM Roadsafe in delivering the Rider Refinement courses, which are the only ones of their kind in Scotland, and I would encourage all motorcyclists to sign-up for a course in their local area.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said:
“Road safety is a top priority for the Scottish Government, and we remain fully committed to our goal of making Scotland’s roads the safest in the world by 2030.
“Motorcyclists are a group we particularly want to focus on as, despite only making up 1% of traffic, they accounted for 19% of road fatalities in 2024.
“Rider refinement events provide motorcyclists with a great opportunity to work on their skills and knowledge, as well as ensuring both they and their vehicles are ready for the riding season ahead.
“This is the first track-based event of its kind in Scotland, backed by road safety funding from the Scottish Government, so I’d encourage riders to sign up and get training from experts at the country’s most famous motorsports venue.
“There are also a number of rider refinement courses being around the country to ensure training is available for as many motorcyclists as possible”
In addition to the core courses, Police Scotland and IAM are also delivering Dust Off Your Leathers, a separate event at Knockhill Circuit in Fife aimed at riders returning after a winter break.
The event includes track based training, workshops on cornering and overtaking, emergency first aid, motorcycle maintenance and emergency braking.
