Members of PECAM Committee work very hard behind the scenes for the Club and Members and we thought it would be good to introduce you to them and give you some insight into who they are and what they do.
This Month is our Outgoing Chairman Tim Helstrip.
How did your journey with Advanced Motorcycling Start
When I was in America, around 25 years ago, I had the opportunity to do an advanced training course, it was a three day course backed by the Governor of Massachusetts and resulted in 25% off your insurance.
The course was fantastic, the motorcycles were supplied, you started off on a 250cc working your way up to a 1200cc bike.
The course started with a basic handling course, then onto the same skills training that PECAM now offer to its Members on an ASD.
There was also a classroom section with a 100 question test paper at the end. The course was based on Keith Code’s “Twist of the Wrist” which the California Superbike School also use.
When back in the UK, I wanted to do more advanced training and found Ridedrive, which was a company run by Met Police officers. They offered an NVQ Level 3 qualification through Bedford College, the course was three days in the classroom and 3 days on the road with a serving police officer. This was all based on Roadcraft. After I completed the course, they advised me to join ROSPA or IAM to continue my advanced training.
I joined PECAM and passed my test in 2006.
How did you end up on the Committee and in the position of Chairman?
I joined the committee to shadow the then Chairman Duncan Bishop with the potential of taking over as Chairman.
I had a year shadowing Duncan as well as completing some outstanding projects the committee had. I was voted in as Chairman in 2020, and said then that I would do the role for a maximum of 3 years.
One of my first tasks was to sort out the PECAM website, we did not even own our own URL at that time. The web site was built by Nigel Belham and is hosted, free of charge, by one of my Clients.
I would like to see the website progress and have a members’ area and web shop. PECAM need someone to take over from Nigel now and move the site on.
During your time as Chairman, what are you most proud of?
During the initial 2020 coronavirus lock-down period I developed Pharmabike which was a full operational model to enable a group of volunteer motorcyclists to safely help deliver prescription medicines directly to patients’ doorsteps.
The programme really worked well with PECAM, Milton Keynes and Northants IAM Groups all operating it. Other IAM groups also requested the ‘pack’ that showed them how to put it in action in their own areas. There were three phases of Lockdown where Pharmabike was used.
At one point Northants Council offered to pay for fuel used by PECAM Volunteers, many of the PECAM Volunteers donated the fuel payments back to PECAM, which was amazing!
This is how we were able to pay for the hire of Alconbury Runway the first year, when we extended it from just being for the Advanced Skills Day to what we have had with the First Saturday skills sessions and on request use for Observers and their Associates.
I also developed the application for Visionzero funding, and secured £3,000+ from the Cambridgeshire Road Safety Partnership to help people with the cost of IAM Roadsmart training and test fees. There is also a research project running alongside the funding into the efficacy of advanced training.
Now that you have stepped down as Chairman what will you do?
I really enjoy being an Observer and am looking forward to becoming a National Observer, I will continue with Sunday Ride Outs and will still join in with the social events and continue to support PECAM with its events.
I am still involved with Vison Zero, Vision Zero is a European road traffic safety initiative that aims to achieve a roadway system with no fatalities or serious injuries involving road traffic. I am looking to see if more funding is available for PECAM and will continue with the research connected to the project.