Dates For Your Diary
Next meeting is on 9th February, From 7.30pm for a 7.45pm start .
Our very own Steve Tucker continues through the development of Roadcraft; setting the scene for more to come next year.
Do you have a topic you would like discussed, or know of an interesting speaker? Please contact speaker at speakers@wiltshireroadar.co.uk
SkillShare & Social
7 February 2026 meeting at the REME Cafe, Lyneham. 9.30 am for 10 am start. See main section for more details.
Bike Ride-Outs on the 3rd Saturday of every even numbered month and the 3rd Sunday of every odd numbered Month. Email will be sent out to Bikers and added to the Forum.
Next ride out Saturday 21 February Details will be forthcoming via email to all bike members.
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Congratulations
Congratulations to the following members who have passed their Advanced Tests recently:
Please welcome the following to the Group:
David Chidgey - Bike
Jonathan Riley - Bike
Geoff Brown. - Bike
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We are reviewing the process for purchase of branded clothing - please bear with us |
Newsletter Content
We are always looking for more articles, ideas and news for the newsletter. Have you been somewhere interesting recently that would make a good story? If you attend any group events then take a camera and send us your pictures!
Please forward all contributions to newsletter@wiltshireroadar.co.uk |
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I have just had a car go through its MOT and despite regular pre drive checks and my pre-MOT inspection it needed a bit of work to get it through – a new brake line pipe on one of the rear wheels. I admit the car is 20 years old but it did make me think how near to failure was the brake pipe prior to the MOT? I am reminded the MOT is only valid on the day it is taken so we could all be driving or riding machines which are developing faults we may not regularly inspect in a pre-drive or rice checks.
I have a bike going for an MOT shortly which has been off the road for a long time (my laziness to be honest) and despite me servicing it thoroughly and conducting a thorough inspection it will be interesting to see what is revealed despite my best efforts.
So what? I hear you shout. We all know our car or bike and how it feels when we drive but it is really easy to ignore a gradual degradation of performance. I think we just need to be aware of the little things which feel or seem a bit “off” and check them to ensure we our machines are fit for the road. The brakes on my car are much better for the new brake line and some new brake fluid!
It is not often we are asked for our opinion (although many will offer it even when it is not required!!) but there is a couple of live Government consultations regarding the Road Safety Strategy. I encourage you all to read them and to fill in the questionnaire (it does take a bit of time I am afraid) but the more of us who offer an onion from an advanced driving and riding perspective the better. We will not be offering a “group” response as it will mean us making a new survey, and I suspect RoADAR HQ will not be doing anything as they do not have the capacity to set up a survey (many of you may have answered the IAM one I am sure).
There are 2 surveys where our opinion will help shape Government policy:
Here is the link to the improving moped and motorcycle training, testing and Licensing consultation.
Here is the link to the proposed changes to penalties for motoring offences.
Both consultations close on 31 March 2026.
RoSPA have also called for a bold new Road Safety Strategy and you can read more on this here
Stay Safe
Bob
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Notices
Merchandise
The eagle eyed of you will have noticed the merchandise section of the newsletter has been removed. There is little demand for this and we do not really hold any stock (a poor use of our money). We are looking at a way of providing branded clothing to those who need it and will publish the results of our efforts as soon as we can – please bear with us.
Committee Members
A number of people have asked who is who in the zoo. The list of Officers for the Group is on the website here. Feel free to join us (I know the list of Committee members is a little out of date as Nick Carrington is a member, we have lost Steve Allsworth – thanks for your time and effort Steve, and have gained Scott Bonnell – thanks for your commitment Scott)
Calne Bike Meet - 25 July
We have booked a stand for the Calne Bike Meet this year. more details to follow but please do book some time in your diary to help on the stand if you can. We recruit a lot of members, mainly bikers, but we do get the message across to car drivers as well. Please come and support the group recruiting efforts - and have some fun into the bargain.
Atwell Motor Museum
We are hoping to have a stand in the annual festival at the Atwell Motor Museum near Calne. More details to follow but again please help out at this promotional events. This is a great opportuity to chat to motoring ensthusiasts and to see some classic cars.
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Saturday Social
Due to popular demand, we’ve decided to change venue for our monthly Saturday Social. We are now meeting at the REME Museum Café in Lyneham.
Bring a friend and join us on the first Saturday of the month at the Wiltshire RoADAR Saturday Social.
Come and meet your fellow members; exchange notes with other associates; meet some of our tutors and pick their brains.
We usually stay chatting eating cake and drinking tea until 11 ish.
The first Saturday of the month - 09:30 - REME Museum, Calne Rd, Lyneham, Chippenham SN15 4XX
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Have you been up to anything to do with Riding or Driving lately? If so, then please let us know as we would love to include it here; photos would be great too!
Classic Cotswold Caper Rideout
Sunday 18 th January REME Crown to Costa J16 M4
REME Museum to Classic Motor Hub via Tetbury and Cirencester
Returning to J16 Costa Coffee via Bibury, Burford, Lechlade and the M4.
After a briefing and hot drinks in the warmth of The Crown’s Café. Fifteen in all set off via the B4069 (Lyneham Banks) which has some nice twisties on a decline. All good 2nd and 3rd gear stuff.
Lyneham Banks - steeper than it looks in the photo
Then past Dauntsey Lock and on up the A350 to Malmesbury and then to Tetbury. The group easily made their way through this delightful town.
Tetbury
Cirencester was next and then the B4425 to Bibury. From there some interestingly small roads to The Classic Motor Hub.
A most welcome watering hole. We were able to all come in together and park up in a group. We were shown where everything was and settled down to hot food, hot drinks,soft furnishings and great cars. There were some lovely vehicles for sale, a BMW R80 scrambler just £8,000.00 to a Ferrari Daytona @ £450,000
Mercedes Corner
As there were no volunteers the ride leader tried out the Imola track and was last on the leader board, but only by two seconds. Not too bad a first timer.
The Imola challenge and the hot seat
Suitably refreshed back down the track to return to the B4425 to Bibury and onto the A40 for the Burford roundabout and the A361 for Lechlade, Highworth and a little hop on the M4 for a welcome cuppa at Costa.
The faithful few at Costa. Including Mark O, the easy to spot TEC
Ride Summary:
The Crown Café REMEMuseum
Dauntsey Lock Chippenham
Church Road Tetbury GL8 8JG
Tetbury Road Cirencester
Bristol Road Cirencester
The Classic Motor Hub
Aldsworth Cheltenham GL54 3PS
Burford Roundabout
Lechlade
Highworth
J15 M4
J16 M4
Costa Coffee
Winston Castle
Thoughts from a Rookie Rideout Leader
By Winston Castle
Stepping into the role of Rideout Leader for the first time is both exciting and humbling. After completing three rideouts, I’ve discovered that the learning curve is steep—and that most of the valuable lessons come from the things you get wrong before you get them right. In the spirit of helping others avoid the pitfalls I enthusiastically fell into, I’ve gathered a set of practical tips. The good ideas are borrowed from seasoned Wiltshire RoADAR members; the less brilliant ones are entirely my own.
Wiltshire RoADAR will soon be offering training sessions for both Ride Leaders and Tail End Charlies (TECs), so keep an eye on the newsletter for details.
Building Your Team
A successful ride starts with a strong partnership between the Ride Leader and the TEC. Choose someone experienced if possible, but above all someone you trust—someone who will turn out in all weathers and isn’t afraid to speak up. A good TEC will help you place markers, manage the group, and keep the ride flowing smoothly. Listen to them.
It’s also worth tapping into the wisdom of other Ride Leaders and your former tutors. They’re a goldmine of route ideas and practical advice.
Planning the Ride
A well‑designed route is the backbone of a good rideout. Aim for something interesting, with one or two appealing stops that will tempt riders out even on a damp Sunday morning. Share your route details with the ride coordinator early so it can be advertised.
Before the day, prepare a clear pre‑ride briefing. Bullet points work far better than reading from a script. Cover the drop‑off system, highlight any tricky junctions, and explain anything unusual about the route.
Comfort matters too. In winter especially, choose a warm, welcoming start point where riders can grab a coffee. The REME Crown is a great example. Ending at a café is equally valuable—it gives everyone a chance to debrief and chat.
And don’t forget the basics: check that your chosen start and finish points will actually be open.
Managing the Group
Decide what level of ride you’re leading—novice, intermediate, or advanced. For new leaders, starting with a novice ride is usually the most manageable.
Think about whether you’ll allow overtaking within the group. It can help keep the ride together and add interest, but it may unsettle less experienced riders.
Have a printed sheet ready for names and contact details, with copies for both you and the TEC. Provide riders with a printout of the route, key phone numbers, and a Google Maps link. Your TEC can handle roll call and distribution.
If anyone plans to leave early, make sure they tell the TEC before dropping off.
Large groups can be challenging, so have a backup plan to split the ride if needed, ideally with additional leaders and TECs on standby.
Route Planning Tools
Google Maps is an excellent starting point, and Street View (the yellow pegman) is invaluable for checking signage and visualising junctions. MapstoGPX can convert routes into GPX files, though it can be temperamental.
Many leaders use a combination of devices—for example, a Garmin for major waypoints and Google Maps on a phone for detailed navigation.
During your dry run, show your TEC the planned drop‑off points. Look for safe, visible locations—junctions, lay‑bys, or clear triangles before “Keep Left” signs. If a junction can’t be marked safely, either adjust the route or warn the group during the briefing.
If the group becomes stretched out, have a lay‑by or garage in mind where you can regroup.
A highly visible TEC makes a world of difference. A distinctive fluorescent tabard helps riders spot them instantly.
Final Thoughts
Leading a rideout is immensely rewarding, but it takes preparation, teamwork, and a willingness to learn. If you’d like to talk more about becoming a Ride Leader, I’ll be at the February meeting and am always happy to chat.
Winston Castle WhatsApp: 07917 866740
· Sleepout one night in March and raise some money.
· Fancy helping out our veterans?
· Anyone mad enough to join me?
· If so we could have a Wiltshire RoADAR group.
· Check out the event website here.
Looking at dates. Saturday 28th March looks good because
1. Closer to warmer weather hopefully.
2. Saturday so Sunday to recover
3. The night is blissfully an hour shorter due to BST on Sunday
4. Can rattle an electronic tin in front of members on the Monday meeting.
Please get in touch if you want to join in
Winston Castle
P 07917 866740 Phone or WhatsApp
E WSCastle@gmail.com
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DRUG DRIVING CAMPAIGN
THINK! has launched a new campaign reminding young drivers of the risks and the consequences they can face if they choose to drug drive. Between 2014 and 2023, there was a 70% increase in drivers killed where drugs were present. Young men are overrepresented, with around 90% of drivers impaired by drugs in collisions being male, and 40% aged between 17 and 29 years.
Overconfidence and a tendency to underestimate the risks are widespread, with 32% of young men believing it is OK to drive after taking drugs if they ‘feel fine’, while 46% report knowing someone who drives after using drugs.
To tackle this growing issue, THINK! has launched campaign – ‘Don’t Put Drugs in the Driving Seat’. The campaign creative uses the driving seat as a constant setting, with a rotating camera effect revealing how one poor decision can lead to devastating consequences.
The assets highlight the impact drug driving can have on a person’s night, life and future, as well as the risk of injuring themselves or others – consequences that research shows resonate strongly with this audience.
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ACU National Road Rally (NRR)reborn
For those bikers who like to clock up big miles and have a challenge you may be interested in this.
The NRR was first run in 1933 and has always been a popular event. Last year the event was not run due to a lack of a viable committee. The ACU wishes to re-establish the event and the response to the call for volunteers has been excellent. Although it's early days, there is a working committee of 7 volunteers who are confident there will be three rallies in 2026, the Welsh NRR (9 May), the NRR (4/5 Jul) and the Scottish NRR (12/13 Sep).
The rallies take the format of a Navigational Scatter Rally and there will be a variety of classes to suit individual needs. The aim is to modernise the event by using electronic Apps instead of the paper format. I know that comes with risk, but it's about attracting and retaining younger riders.
The ACU have reviewed the Regulations, it appeared the event rewarded speed. Although previous organisers have assured this is not the case, but the intention is to review and potentially set average speed limits which must not be exceeded.
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British Medics request to curb the proliferation of SUVs
Experts writing in the BMJ, a leading medical journal, have called for urgent policy intervention to curb the proliferation of Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), citing their significant harms to public health and safety. The opinion article highlights that the increasing size and popularity of SUVs – which now account for nearly half of new car sales globally – is directly responsible for greater risk on the roads, particularly for vulnerable users.
Evidence cited shows that a pedestrian or cyclist faces an alarming 44 per cent relative increase in the likelihood of death if struck by an SUV compared with a standard car, largely due to the vehicle’s taller, squarer bonnet striking the victim higher and creating greater driver blind spots. Beyond trauma risk, these heavier, larger vehicles exacerbate air quality issues through increased non- exhaust emissions – fine particulate matter from brake and tyre wear – which now dominate pollution in many European cities and are linked to chronic illness. Furthermore, the greater use of raw materials presents a major hurdle to climate goals. The experts urge governments to reverse this trend through immediate policy changes, including reforming tax charges on large vehicles and implementing weight-based parking fees, alongside the introduction of a ‘child visibility test’ within safety rating programmes like Euro NCAP.
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CHANGING THE LANGUAGE
The RoadPeace 'Crash not accident' campaign calls for policy makers and the media to stop using the word 'accident' when referring to road crashes, and to adopt appropriate,
constructive and accurate terminology such as 'crash' or 'collision.'
Jo Shinner, Chief Constable of Sussex and national lead for road Policing, is actively supporting a change in the language we tend to use.
Use this link to listen to her speak about the difference it can make.
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POLICING THE "FATAL FOUR"
The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) has produced a report looking at how the UK currently monitors and enforces two behaviours within the “Fatal Four” that remain stubbornly risky yet comparatively under-policed in terms of Mobile phone misuse while driving and seat belt non-compliance.
In 2023, 64.9% of fatal collisions in Great Britain involved at least one Fatal Four factor. Speeding is most prevalent (56.1%), but seat belt non-use and mobile phone distraction persist and are under-detected.
Observed seat belt wearing is high (≈97–98% drivers; lower for rear seats), yet unbelted occupants are over-represented in fatalities. Similarly, less than one percent of drivers are typically observed using mobile phones yet the risk they present is disproportionate due to visual and cognitive distraction effects. Traditional roadside observation cannot scale to the true prevalence of offending. New technologies offer credible detection, deterrence and
data to target interventions.
The traditional approaches to monitoring and enforcement of compliance with seat belt laws are through observational surveys, post-crash reporting and on-the-spot police observation and enforcement. Similarly, mobile phone use while driving is typically monitored via observational surveys. These are evolving from data collection by roadside observers to video/image review, improving safety and sample size. Post-crash assessment by the police can also attribute mobile phone use as a contributory factor but it is likely that this underestimates true involvement due to evidential thresholds and phone forensics limiting detection.
Emerging technologies provide a credible opportunity to address these under-detected risks. AI-enabled roadside cameras, in-vehicle monitoring systems, and phone-limiting apps are already showing potential to detect and deter dangerous behaviour at scale. Trials in the UK, including those run by Acusensus with National Highways and police forces, have demonstrated that AI systems can identify thousands of offences within hours. When the findings are publicised, they also create a measurable deterrent effect, helping to change driver behaviour and support safe roads across the country.
You can find a copy of the report here
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Roadcraft updates
October 2025 sees introductions of new versions of Roadcraft.
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Promotional activities
SkillShare - returns in the new year but if you know someone who wants to learn about the Group bring them to the Saturday Social on the first Saturday of the Month at Crown's Cafe at the REME Museum in Lyneham.
Successfully supported by Wiltshire RoADAR motorcycle tutors and WABAM Observers. Dates for 2026 will be released in due course:
Calne Bike Meet and Atwell Motor Museum
We are returning to the Calne Bike Meet - 25 July 2026 - and the Atwell Motor Museum - dates tbc.
If you have any ideas for events, then please get in touch with the committee using the committee email address :
Look forward to hearing and discussing your ideas.
Presentation material
A generic set of slides has been created for use if you are asked about Wiltshire RoADAR and have the opportunity to present. This could be at a local club, workplace etc. Please send a mail to committee@wiltshireroadar.co.uk and the slides will be sent over to you.
We also have flyers and business cards so ask for these via the same means.
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New year, new motorcycle touring company!
After planning, organising and enjoying several motorcycle trips to places such as the Alps, Dolomites, Pyrenees and Ireland, amongst others, Peter Genet has, along with a couple of advanced riding, albeit IAM, friends set-up www.tiptoptours.co.uk These tours are encouraging riders to explore and enjoy more their riding amongst like-minded riders. After all, “I ride not to go anywhere, but to ride. I ride for riding’s sake. The great adventure is to ride!”
Look forward to seeing you soon!
Peter Genet |
Taking both Car and Bike tests?
We have a handful of people who have passed both their car and bike tests. If you wish to do the same it can be confusing as we include the training in your memebrship of Wiltshire RoADAR but your membership of RoSPA only covers one free retest. My thanks to Ryan Jones who calrified the situation with RoSPA.
If you are a bike member,
you can just pay for an interim car test @ £55. My main membership would
be bike (first one to pass) so "free" retest would be bike. Car retest
would be same interim @ £55.
One hopes (by extrapolation) it is the same if your intial membership is for a car - please let us know if you find any difference. (Although we know the Bike test is more expensive than the car test.)
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Booking a Retest
Please be aware you need to book your 3 yearly retest directly with RoSPA via their website. Sadly we cannot book it for you as it is all done electronically. You may also need to check when your re-test is due if you have not been paying your subscriptions to RoADAR as they will not remind you.
Tutors will be happy to conduct a refresh should you wish one prior to a re test.
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Membership and GDPR
Due to GDPR we are required to remove an individual's details from our Group database when they are no longer required by us. We remove a lapsed member's details if they have not paid a subscription by the 31 Dec following the AGM (3 months after the subscriptions are due). If a member has forgotten to pay their subs and pays after 31 Dec we will require a joining form to be completed so we can replace them on the database.
It all seems a bit strange, but we do not want to get on the wrong side of the Government's Information Commissioner. We understand if members forget or are late with their subscriptions, but please help us to keep our database accurate and compliant.
This is, of course, separate to those of you who maintain a membership with RoADAR HQ.
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Committee minutes
These are available from the Group Secretary if any member wishes to see them. If you are interested in reading the minutes, then please send a mail to the Group Secretary whom will promptly forward them onto you.
Test results
Reminder to let the Membership Secretary and your tutor know when you have taken your Advanced Driving/Riding Test and result. This is so our database is kept up to date; there is no need or pressure at all to have the result published on the website or in this newsletter if you wish to keep your result confidential.
If you have read this far, thanks! If you have any feedback or suggestions about content for your newsletter, then drop us a line at newsletter@wiltshireroadar.co.uk If you can't leave constructive feedback though, then we don't want to hear from you!
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