INSTRUCTOR PROFILE: Paul Collins, Chief Instructor.

Paul first started riding bikes on the road in the 1970’s and first owned a Honda CD 175, which was a throwback to British style parallel twins.   After the CD 175 he owned numerous Japanese bikes through the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s and the “noughties.” CD 175 through to Fireblades and various other bikes to the Pan European!   Paul is extensively experienced in road riding and track riding, to touring and dirt bike riding and a great deal of experience riding overseas.

Riding as a profession first came about for Paul in service for his country in the British Forces.   Within his Services career he was a military motorcyclist and an instructor teaching and qualifying military riders which involved a variety of road and off-road training.

On leaving H.M. Forces, he entered the civilian motorcycle training industry and trained and qualified as a Driving Standards Agency Cardington approved CBT1 Instructor and DAS (Direct Access) instructor, enabling him to conduct all ATB (DSA) motorcycle courses.   Since this time he has worked continuously in the motorcycle training industry.   He started running his own DSA ATB and his own advanced motorcycle training.   Paul originally became an advanced rider with the I.A.M whilst still serving in the forces, he went on to achieve RoSPA’s highly regarded Gold advanced riding award and by 2001 qualified to hold RoSPA’s prestigious National B-Tec Diploma for advanced motorcycle tuition.

Never one to stop career development, Paul became an Essex Police BikeSafe assessor and an advanced examiner for the D.I.A. and DIA Special Advanced Rider Award. He is a registered RPMT Instructor for the DSA ERS (Enhanced Rider Scheme) initiative.   He also took the DSA’s own special test for qualified motorcycle instructors, achieving the top “A” grade.   He spends some of his spare time in giving something back to motorcycling, donating time and skills to the local advanced riding group E.R.A.M (Essex RoSPA Advanced Motorcyclists).