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Motorcycle Awareness Month (MAM) takes place every September and marks the start of the summer riding season – when many riders get their bikes back on the road after winter. HELENA O’NEILL talks with motorcyclist Rebecca Brown from Pro Rider about what it’s like on the road for Kiwi riders.
What is your role with Pro Rider and what does it involve?
I am the owner, director, and an instructor with Pro Rider.
How much of your job is rider upskilling as opposed to training learner riders?
A quarter of my week is helping people get their Basic Handling Skills certificate. Once people are on their learner licence they can attend the ACC funded Ride Forever program. We help upskill riders of all levels; it’s fun and rewarding doing what we love with others that feel the same.
What is your top tip for rider safety?
Ride like people haven’t seen you.
What can motorists do to help keep riders safe on the road?
“Look twice for bikes” It can be hard to judge the distance and speed of a smaller object with one light.
What is the most common mistake with motorcycle riding?
Some people don’t practice all the skills needed to keep safe, things like slow speed manoeuvring and emergency breaking. We should all maintain skills in all areas of our riding as you never know when you’ll need them.
What is the best thing about being a motorcyclist?
The freedom, once I’m out for a ride, my mind quietens while I focus on what I’m doing. In a car it is like you’re watching a movie, riding a motorbike is like being in the movie.
What’s your favourite ride or journey?
I love the Coromandel Loop, ocean views, good friends and great cafes for stops between some lovely corners.
Editor’s note – The Coromandel Loop is made up of the Northern Loop via state highways 25/25A (187.8km) and the Southern Loop via state highways 25/25A/2/26 (129.7km).
What’s the best motorcycle and why?
Depending on the day and the reason for riding, I’m very lucky to have a range of bikes to choose from depending on if we are going to a dirt bike park, to Hampton Downs for one of our track-based training days or for a gravel ride. I’m a bit partial to my new Honda though.
What is the biggest reason riders come to you for training?
Currently the biggest reason is the new ACC Rider Reward from all bikes registered in their name. Once they do a Gold course saving up to $154 per bike per year for two years, then they can do another Gold and keep the discount going. All Ride Forever courses are free to book for courses running for the rest of this year thanks to Motorcycle Awareness Month.
Are you seeing more or fewer motorcyclists on our roads?
Is hard to tell and we don’t have firm stats, but the motorcycle community seems to be growing, and we see more and more people each year on licencing and courses with Pro Rider.
How many riders do you train each year?
So far this year we have had 2843 people attending Ride Forever courses, 1211 basic handling sessions (first step towards learner licence), 1516 restricted and full assessments. We have currently got 457 people booked for future courses and licencing before the end of October.
How long have you been offering Ride Forever courses?
Pro Rider has been delivering all levels since the start of Ride Forever in 2009.
What is your most popular type of training/course?
Currently Gold Ride Forever due to the discount, people appreciate the training on the other levels of Ride Forever as well to get ready for their next stage in licencing, meeting new people and practicing skills.
Ride Forever
Ride Forever is an ACC initiative, aimed at giving riders sound information and access to training, so they can make better choices. To date, around 16,000 riders have completed at least one Rider Forever course.
While each course delivers important skills on its own, the full complement is designed to help you progress to a higher level. So, if you start a Motorbike Skills or Bronze course, you can advance through Silver to Gold level, taking a maximum of two courses per year along the way.
Once there, you can continue to take a Gold refresher course each year. From learning how to keep yourself safe on the daily commute to honing the most advanced riding techniques, there’s a Ride Forever course to suit your needs. Ride Forever courses also support NZTA’s Competency-based Training and Assessment requirements for licensing.
ACC Rider Reward recognises and rewards riders who take proactive steps to develop their skills and enhance their on-road decision making. It provides a clear, practical way for eligible riders to reduce their motorcycle levies by building advanced rider skills.
Motorcycle Awareness Month
It’s the perfect time to get ready for the season ahead. Check your bike, check your gear, and check your skills. This year’s campaign, Let’s Ride – new season, same freedom, celebrates the excitement of getting back on the bike and encourages riders to make Ride Forever part of their start-of-season routine. MAM is about:
- Helping riders prepare for the season ahead
- Reminding drivers that more bikes are back on the road
- Celebrating the riding community across New Zealand
- Encouraging riders to sharpen their skills with Ride Forever
- The best first ride of the season starts with preparation
