How SAFE is MC Rider Training?

Examples From Moonriders discussion of how safe is Rider Training Than can be found here.

First opportunity

The normal ratio of instructors to students on the range is 1 to 6/2 to 12. It is literally impossible for two people to keep 12 people equally under observation at a time even if the 12 only sit still on their motorcycles. Get some of them in motion and it’s even worse.

Instructors will focus on the students in motion and the ones doing the actual skill more than the ones riding back to the line or coming into the area that the instructor deems is “higher-risk” or the critical area for the skill. Yet this is precisely the areas where crashes occur.

Time to intervene:

In reality, then, even if the instructor was looking at that exact student at the exact right moment to see the student—say pop the clutch—there is not enough time for the instructor to do anything between error and result.

What is a minor error as opposed to a major error?

Dr. Petterson does not define what a minor error is. So what exactly does M$F say a minor error (that shouldn’t be coached) is as opposed to a major one (that should be)? They don’t. You’re supposed to know. How do you know?

Does your state define major and minor errors? Is it written down or just something you “know”? Would someone like Haynes agree? Or more to the point—would the other instructor on the range with you agree? And would your training specialist and state administrator agree?

And why is this a topic of discussion? Because the fatality rate of Rider Training Programs is rising. Read more on her site and get blown away.

1984 Today

Video of the story we referenced in our post on 11/08/07. It speaks for itself.

From NCOM-Motorcycle thefts up

From the National Coalition of Motorcyclists: SURVEY FINDS MAJORITY OF MOTORCYCLE OWNERS AT HIGH RISK FOR THEFT
Motorcycle theft rates are at their highest levels nationwide, and continue on the rise. According to the most recent figures by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), 71,523 motorcycles were stolen in 2006, and motorcycle theft has risen a full 137 percent since the year 2000.

LoJack Corporation in cooperation with the NICB conducted an online “Fitness Test” geared to gauge the risk of theft for motorcycle enthusiasts, and found that a full 67 percent of motorcycle owners who responded to the survey are at a high risk for theft.

The 10-question Motorcycle Theft Prevention Fitness Test conducted over the summer revealed that the majority of the respondents were at a high risk for theft because they are not taking necessary precautions, such as securing their bike to an immovable object when parked in a lot or garage, and arming their bikes with theft deterrents (alarms, kill switches, etc.) and recovery systems. Respondents did score well, however, when it came to applying good common sense theft protection measures, such as parking in a concealed area at home, parking in a well lit area in a garage/parking lot, and never leaving keys on the their parked bike.

"As this survey showed, motorcycle owners need to step up their theft protection measures in order to keep their bikes safe," said Patrick Clancy, Vice President of Law Enforcement, LoJack Corporation. "Unfortunately, using good common sense is not enough to protect bikes from today's clever thieves, who typically know just which bikes they want and how to steal them.”

LoJack and NICB have developed a booklet entitled "Get in the Know" that details the steps owners can take to protect their motorcycles from being stolen. The two nationally recognized authorities on vehicle theft and prevention have also launched a joint education initiative called the Vehicle Theft Protection Program to help owners protect their assets from theft, and began their campaign by designating July, the highest vehicle theft month of the year, as National Vehicle Theft Protection Month.Add to Technorati Favorites