The Lonely Rider

Whether you are new to riding or someone who is taking up riding again, the question that is often asked is “Why take a course? Isn’t it just like riding a bike?”

The short answer is no…it’s not.

Even for those who have ridden before and are returning to riding much
has changed in the past decade and so have the bikes that are available
today. For those who have many years experience riding dirt bikes, riding
on public roads is a very different experience since trees don’t tend to
simply jump out in front of you (only those who drive/ride drunk would
disagree with that statement).

In general, people take up riding for many reasons ranging from a childhood
fantasy to a mid-life crisis, encouragement from their friends or family,
to wanting to save on gas, or simply wanting to indulge in the pure joy
and sensations that riding provides and that they’ve heard about.
Many of the joys of riding are foreign to new riders until they actually
get out on their own bike and discover the thrills, adventures and excitement
on their own.

I recently spent some time at “Learning Curves” a motorcycle safety
school in Toronto and talked to some of the students and their instructors.
The students shared the opinion that they wanted to learn the basics of
motorcycle riding and some students went far as to say that they are taking
the course to learn to “stay alive”. Although a relatively new school,
Learning Curves bring to the table decades of combined motorcycling
experience. The owners and head instructors have a long history in the riding
community teaching others how to ride and most of their junior instructors
come from other schools. What makes Learning Curves different is their
personal touch and hands-on teaching style.

Let’s face it, we all learn differently and while we may excel with some concepts,
we may lack in other areas. These instructors teach differently and adapt to
your needs as a student, even spending more time with individual riders to help
them in areas where they are weak.

The instructors fully understand what’s involved in riding on public
roads and are there to pass down their knowledge much like native cultures
pass down knowledge from one generation to the next by showing them first
hand. We all start out the same as newbies, without a clue what we are
doing and it’s the instructor’s passion for riding and willingness
to “pay it forward” that makes taking a course enjoyable.
Just observing the instructors running along side the students and taking
extra time talking to those who required some extra tutelage, showed how
much they cared about arming new riders with the basic knowledge and skills
that they would need to head out on the open roads. It helps also that
the instructors remember what it’s like to be new at riding and teach without
the “I know more than you so you better listen” attitude found at some other
schools. It also helps that they all have a great sense of humour and friendliness
that makes students feel at ease from the moment you arrive.

As with other Ministry approved riding schools, Learning Curves offers
both M1 and M2 exit courses and administers the Ministry skills test at
the end of the program. Most schools focus on teaching you what you need
to pass the Ministry tests at the end of the course but Learning Curves
takes it to another level with additional tips, techniques and advice
to add another level of safety for their students to take to the road.
With that in mind though, if a student doesn’t “get it”
they won’t pass the test. Another thing that really makes Learning
Curves stand apart from the rest is their “Street Proofing”
program. Once a student passes the M1 course, they will take you out on
the streets at a later date (using your own bike once you get it) and
show you how to ride in the real world (which is vastly different from
puttering around in a safe, controlled parking lot) offering up tips and
advice along the way. This is an invaluable service to help new riders
navigate the roads safely.

Whatever your reasons are for taking up riding, please take the time
to do it safely and take a safety course. It’s worth far more than
it costs and should be considered a personal investment in you. Most riding
schools offer not only a basic course for those who are new to riding
but also advanced courses too. Some regions have graduated licensing and
local schools, which are certified by their local governing body, offer
weekend courses that focus on the skills required and actually administer
the ministry tests that are required to graduate to the next level.