Up Skilling Older Riders

This course can be completed one on one or as a group up to 5.

Studies of older riders, who have returned to the fray after many years of non-riding, suggest that both the vehicle control and risk assessment skills needed for safe riding do deteriorate when not used. To read more click here. In the same report it was also noted that riders who took part in some sort of rider training were more likely to try some sort of avoidance manoeuvre, such as braking or swerving. Untrained riders were more likely to sit there and crash without doing anything to prevent it!

Between one third and almost half of motorcycle crashes occur at very low speeds (<40Km/h), To read more click on these links
www.roadwise.asn.au/resources/resources/motorcyclesafety and www.monash.edu.au/muarc/reports/muarc240.pdf. So ensuring the low speed skills are adequate prior to the on road component is essential.

It is this aspect of riding which the redevelopment of basic skills allows, and also where up skilling of many current riders begin. By revising basic skills needed for road riding, it is possible to begin to practice these in everyday riding. If basic skills aren’t practiced, they will never be something which can be relied upon when you need them, in an emergency.

Each participant is assessed to determine their training needs. Once a gap between what is required and what is essential can be identified by the participant, exercises can be applied to strengthen skills.

Later, once basics have been reviewed and practised, an on the road component puts these skills into practice. Here environmental risks such as ‘reading’ the road, positioning for safety, theory of counter steering and risk avoidance, and braking practiced and discussed throughout the ride. Whilst it may seem to be a ‘returning to school ‘ approach, it is necessary to ensure riders are not merely reigniting skills which were inadequate for safety and enjoyment when learned previously.

Course duration will vary depending on the individual skill levels of those in the group and the size of the group. Generally, 7-8 hours will be sufficient to begin the development of skills and help you see a difference in the way you ride. Click here for more detail of the course.