Blog post -
IAM RoadSmart & Dr. Steven Lee Foundation Team Up to Elevate Young Rider Safety with Advanced Rider courses.
In the wake of tragedy, there is often a commitment to change. The Dr. Steven Lee Foundation stands as a testament to this. Established in memory of Dr. Steven Lee, whose life was tragically cut short in a motorcycle collision in 2022, the Foundation has dedicated itself to funding and upskilling a new generation of young riders alongside IAM RoadSmart.
Steven is survived by his parents and five siblings. His brother Danny, an IAM RoadSmart member, spoke to us about the Foundation’s legacy and the fight to reduce motorcycle deaths on the roads.
Danny says the family’s mission is clear: “Steven had only been riding for a few months when he died and had not yet embarked on any Advanced Riding training. We want to prevent other families from experiencing the pain we’ve endured and ensure that Steven’s passing was not in vain. We want to help young riders who otherwise may not be able to afford an Advanced Rider course.” The course is a specialised program designed to improve the skills and safety of motorcycle riders.
The Foundation relies on community support, fundraising events, and the sale of Steven’s photography, which can be bought from the foundation’s website. Danny said: “We have scaled mountains and reached new heights, metaphorically and with events like the recent Snowdon climb. The funds raised are used to purchase IAM RoadSmart Advanced Rider vouchers for newly qualified riders.”
So far, the foundation has raised approximately £3500, and that funding has already helped five young riders, with plans to support 10 more in the pipeline.
Danny believes that if more riders undertook Advanced Rider course, Britain’s roads would be safer. He said: “We passionately believe that it should be more than just an option, it should be an encouraging step for all new riders. While making it mandatory might not be immediately possible, subsidising it for those in need could save countless lives. Someone once told me not to waste money buying an exhaust to make you go faster; invest the money in training to ride more safely.”
22-year-old Cara Jones is one of the recipients of the voucher; she says the Advanced Rider course has been life-changing. “I’m doing the course as a brand-new rider who wants to start their riding career in the safest and best equipped way. It is setting me up for a future full of smooth and well-thought-out riding. I’m hugely appreciative of the Dr. Steven Lee Foundation for providing me with this course; it’s invaluable as there’s nothing more important to me than being safe on my bike. It’s changed my riding as I’m continuously thinking about my journey, such as, why am I in this road position or this specific gear for this sharp bend? I can really see myself beginning to implement IAM RoadSmart’s ‘Thinking Rider’ approach.”
To find out more about the Foundation, purchase one of Steven’s photographs or donate please visit the website or find out more about the Advanced Rider course and how it could help you create memorable new experiences on your bike.
