Above watch: SAIT has now launched its own training program for new and experienced motorcycle riders, and police say taking a course could save your life. Mia Sosiak reports.
CALGARY – SAIT Polytechnic has launched a new three-day training program for new and experienced motorcycle riders on one of the largest unobstructed motorcycle training areas in Alberta. Police say it’s just in time for spring—when crashes often happen due to dusty pavement and loose gravel.
The Calgary school is offering the course both in the classroom and on the tarmac at the SAIT’s Art Smith Aero Centre; Blackfoot Motorsports is providing new bikes of all sizes.
“The biggest mistake is people that don’t believe they need to take a course,” said SAIT lead instructor Chris Barnes. “I think it’s great that friends or family want to teach you but I think taking a course at an accredited school—when it comes to motorcycle safety—there’s so much that you can learn.”
Seamus Toner coordinates the program at SAIT, and says he’s dropped his own bike a few times before.
“Once because of gravel on the road, and another time just because of giving the bike too much gas on a corner,” said Toner.
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Calgary police say the faster you’re driving, the more likely you are to be seriously hurt. Deadly crashes often occur when riders are thrown into something hard, like a vehicle or pole.
“Really what you are now is a pedestrian sitting on a vehicle, because you don’t have a cage around you, you don’t have a seatbelt, and if you hit something or you get hit, chances are you’re going to get catapulted,” said Calgary Police Traffic Insp. Ken Thrower.
“There are some good riders but there are also some good riders out there that I see that really scare the hell out of me.”
The SAIT course offers three hours of theory and then two days of on-bike training. It takes place Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays/Sundays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The school hopes to offer advanced and refresher courses in fall 2015.
With files from Erika Tucker
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