Text and photo: Jarl Hole
The Road Safety Day for motorcyclists in Skien is a classic in the growing range of courses that offer us motorcyclists the opportunity to become better and, not least, safer drivers. What distinguishes Traffic Safety Day in Skien from the other events is that Traffic Safety Day has been running for many years, that it is a good collaboration between the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, the police and the motorcycle community in Grenland, that it has a large number of instructors and helpers from the road administration, police and driving schools and that it is free and includes a lunch break with food and drink. All you have to do is sign up and show up.
All 21 instructors and helpers pictured after the competition. Thank you for your hard work!
This year’s Traffic Safety Day was held on April 26 in glorious spring weather. After being held at Geiteryggen airport for a long time, the event was moved to the Grenland motorsports center at Flittig about 12 km north of Skien city center a few years ago. The move has been a success because the motorsports center can offer more challenges and variations in the exercises than a flat airport can.
No fewer than 102 motorcyclists out of the 108 registered attended this year’s edition of Traffic Safety Day. For about half of the participants, it was their first time taking part. “It’s a positive sign that there are many new participants. It’s also positive that an increasing number of women are signing up and that the spread of different motorcycle brands also seems to be increasing. This year, for example, it was possible to observe more HD and Ducati. In the past, these brands have been conspicuous by their absence. This is probably due to the fact that many HD and Ducati owners, for one reason or another, are retrofitting noisy exhaust pipes and are afraid of being prosecuted.
Several participants exhibited with HD models, which is positive.
The participants are divided into groups and the motorsport facility is divided into 5 areas for the groups to visit. Area 1 consists of acceleration and braking tasks. Area 2 covers crawling and serpentines. Area 3 is an information area that discusses first aid, pre-driving checks, tips and advice on loading and touring. Area 4 deals with cornering techniques on a circular track, braking when cornering, sitting position, and anchoring and looking when cornering. Area 5 deals with right and left turns at intersections with and without stopping.
Dag Thomassen is an old hand at his job. He is a former police officer, motorcyclist and now an instructor for emergency drivers. Dag takes his time and has lots of good advice to offer.
Young lady with good driving skills on an Indian FTR1200.
Terje Skaug was the speaker and drone pilot and provided good information throughout the event.
Swing technique training is important!
Without food and drink, the hero is no good. The road safety day costs nothing and food and drink are included.
The impression at the end of the competition was of satisfied participants who believed they had received a good refill of theory and practice that would make them better equipped to meet the 2025 season as responsible motorcyclists without challenging the margins and in interaction with other traffic.
See you at the Road Safety Day in 2026!