Not all young riders are so bad

While sitting on the outside deck of a local eating establishment (Ramshackles) today, I was watching traffic. I saw, I would say, at least 150 bikes pass by during this time. While watching the very young, very inexperienced, yet, I have to say, most of the young ones I saw today were also very safety conscience, it occured to me as I was critiquing or for lack of better words, criticizing their riding skills, there was a time, many years ago that I was one of those very young, very inexperienced and sadly to say, not so safety concience riders. It was obvious to tell that many of these riders had been on a bike very little and their nervousness or self preservation instincts were very apparent. I also saw many older riders today as well. Many were alert, very aware of their surroundings and situations. To my astonishment, it was the "Ride Captain" of a very large motorcycle organization who I found to be the most careless. Careless to the extent of almost causing 4 bikes under his tutelage to be destroyed, were it not for some very alert cage riders. Gentleman, and ladies, please, if you are going to make a right turn, do it from the outside lane, and also, not 20 feet from the driveway of which you desire to turn into. It seems to me, that with age does not always come wisdom. Yes, I have ranted many a time about young, hot rod "crotch rocket riders. I have ranted many times about very much older, non safety concience men who ride in sandals, flip flops, shorts, and even shirtless. When I am riding, I am out for the pleasure of the ride, to enjoy the sights. I am constantly riding, using my peripheral vision, and riding by my mirrors. Not all motorcycle accidents are caused by what so many of us, myself included, refer to as inconsiderate cage riders. The last few motorcycle accidents I have been made aware of were by riders who were either inexperienced, made common mistakes, were speed demons, or just simply had an accident. Guys, gals, remember, we only have one life and we all need to make the most of it.
Maybe it is time for some of us to go back and take a refresher course on rider safety.

Learning to ride has tightened up severley over here especially now.

Before being allowed on the road I took a CBT, this is basically instruction in a safe enviroment, emegency stops, low speed handling, junctions etc, then road work with an instructor via radio set.

The main thing I want to relate was the instructor, a lot of people had complained about him for being too harsh, the harshness, he told the truth.

The main points he tried to drill home were, you are on a bike, you don't have the luxury of a steel box round you. You have to ride not just for your self but be aware of the possible actions around you, driveways, side roads, whats ahead as well behind, the all impotant "Lifesaver", that little momentary backward glance over your shoulder as you leave a junction, make a turn etc, it has become so ingrained now that it is an automatic reaction, at first it seemed hard, taking the enjoyment out of the ride making you feel on tenderhooks every time you set off, now all the little bits are a natural part of the ride and all the better for it.

As of June 1, all new riders in the state of Florida are required to take a two day rider safety course before receiving their motorcycle endorsement. Two days might be short but at least there are safety issues taught and traffic laws taught. Nothing beats pure experience, even based on years of riding to know what it is actually like riding a two wheeler on the highway.

The CBT at the time allowed you to ride a massive 125cc motorcycle for two years then became null and void, to go for a bike test you then had to sit two parts, firstly a hazard awareness perception test, a computer programme of differing road conditions, scenarios, you click the mouse when you spot a a potential, or developing hazard, points are awarded decreasing the slower you spot the hazard, then all tallyed at the end, this was then added to your score for the highway code, which covers basic maintenance to road signs.

When you have this piece of paper you are then allowed to apply for your full blown test, a 40 minute examination on the road with either an examiner in a car or on a bike, relaying instructions as to what they want you to do via radio, doing a turn in the road no feet allowed haha, emergency stop, hill take offs etc. Then with luck at the end of that you get the you have passed.

There are still restrictions as to what bike you can ride depending on age as well, you can do a direct access course in which you are trained on something like the 600 Diversion, this allows you any size bike should you pass.

But this year believe it is allchanging again, making it harder and more expensive to go for your bike licence over hear, especially for youngsters, which has got to lead to the inevitable "chancers" with no tax, insurance...... or a reduction in the numbers wishing to take part as just too much effort which is sad..

I'm scheduled to take ABATE here in Indy on August 1st. I don't NEED to take it to get my endorsement or get insurance, but it's only $75 and I might as well go through it. It's not going to hurt to go through it. I'll be the first to admit I'm not the best rider out there, nor have I ever claimed to be. So anything they can teach me at ABATE to help me enjoy the ride more while being safe and giving me a better chance to make it to my destination in one piece, I'm all for.

What am I missing here? What does ABATE run courses on? Basically, down here all I have ever seen ABATE do is try to make money for the family that owns the organization and push for helmet free laws. In Florida, the rider safety course runs $250.00 and is sanctioned by the DMV in which they directly transmit your info so you can walk in and get your endorsement after pasing the course. It sounds like ABATE is offering more to people than we/I realize.

I'm sure an ABATE chapter is run is according to rules. But I can see where motivated leaders could find a way to make a living and support ABATE by doing a rider course.

That's something I could get behind as opposed to an organization that just puts on runs to run money through it's books.

I've been given some great info by our local ABATE folks here when I run into them. They seem very active in motorcycle awareness. That's a cool cause.

Ok, then I have missed something and I will admit to it. I have never once heard anything about ABATE's safety courses. Now, I am wondering though if it is sanctioned by the DMV in Florida and given the same accreditation as other rider safety schools in the state.

The ABATE here is sanctioned by the BMV in Indiana, so not only will I not have to go to the BMV and take the test through them, but ABATE will teach me things that I don't already know and get me my endorsement as long as I pass.

Then I am sure that ABATE nationwide must be sanctioned. I have just never heard of them teching the dmv course here.

I think one of the big reasons people complain about it is that, well, theyre kids.

Its not like kids have credit cards, so this means that theyre going to have to go to their parents for the money, and parents are ALWAYS hesitant when giving out their credit card numbers.