Motorcycle riding is a thrilling experience that can be enjoyed by all. It is a popular mode of transportation in rural areas, and it is also one of the most commonly used modes of transportation for people who live in cities. Motorcycles are small, light, and easy to maneuver around tight corners. They are also less expensive to buy and maintain as compared to cars.
For a 16-year-old teenager, exploring new things and experiencing things in life is usually the first priority. The challenge for parents dealing with teens is to give them enough space to widen their horizons without letting them cross too many boundaries. Usually, parents prohibit their children from driving motorcycles due to the risks involved with the same. Curiosity is a natural human trait. As the article by Dr. Jeanette Elwyn from the University of New England points out, teenagers get it from both sides of their family: “The driver’s risk-taking behaviors are based on an internal need to explore their world and their environment”. It is not only about experimenting with new things in life; it is also about what they do with their time, where they go, who they hang out with, how they spend money, and so on.
In the case of learning how to ride a motorcycle, the role of parents and school is pivotal to make sure that the child learns about motorcycles properly and practices the right procedures. Before going any further, let’s analyze the core problem that parents have to face; which the school can resolve pretty easily!
Core Problems Faced During Motorcycle Coaching
The number of uncertainties involved in finding a good motorcycle coaching program are numerous. The concept of finding proper motorcycle coaching is pretty new especially in India. It was not until recently that certain established motorcycle coaching companies and new startups have started to emerge in the country. For an amateur learner, there are various obstacles that he/she has to encounter during the learning process. Some of these obstacles are:
- Lack of safety while undergoing motorcycle coaching – Getting proper motorcycle especially coaching in India can be hard; usually the type of motorcycle coaching people get is from their local riders or people who have pretty little experience. It is no surprise that even basic rules such as wearing of helmets may not be enforced and safety gear may not be provided.
- Lack of awareness among newer riders – India is one of the untapped regions for the motorcycle coaching industry. This means the people here are not properly aware of the existence of proper motorcycle coaching, due to which newer learners receive no training or poor training at, best.
- Learning motorcycle riding from unqualified people – It is pretty common for people to learn motorcycle from their relatives and friends. Due to lack of proper motorcycle coaching available, riders are left with no choice but to depend on their family members and friends to learn.
Now let’s see why a school is the ideal place to for a 16 year old teenager to get started!
Schools – The ideal place for learning
According to research, almost 1 in 10 people all over the world are unaware about how to ride a motorcycle. In some of the countries like India and Bangladesh, it’s more than 1 in 5! If we want to make our society better and safer for all, we should invest in teaching children different life skills – one of them is riding a motorcycle.
What other better place is there to make them learn motorcycle riding other than the place where they are sent to learn everything else?
Schools are often regarded as an environment where the child is free to learn, experiment and make mistakes along the way. Parents are not the only ones who should be teaching their children to ride. Schools should take up this crucial responsibility and teach kids how to ride a motorcycle as well. This will help them in the future when they decide to buy one and it can also help them in case of an emergency. Moreover, the children who take these classes would turn out to be more confident, more skilled and less likely to crash while riding.
Now lets state some of the benefits that schools can offer to children in terms of teaching them motorcycle riding.
Peer Learning is Better than Solo Learning
The collective benefits that students reap from learning in a collective environment are better than the child learning on his/her own. Having a forum to express their doubts and assist others in the process surely helps speed up the learning and practicing process. Moreover, practicing the basic motorcycle techniques can prove to be difficult if done alone.
Some of the advantages that children get by learning motorcycles riding with their peers rather than solo are:
- It is scientifically proven that learning is far more consistent in an environment which has a certain degree of competition
- A lot can be learnt just by observing others
- Encourages active learning
- Peer learning helps in easily clearing doubts and misconceptions
Safety of the Children
A fear is always there in the hearts of parents regarding the safety of children while they learn how to ride a motorcycle. This problem can easily be overcome when the school steps in – by far, schools are the most safe and secure place for children to learn the art of bike riding, because of the following:
- Schools are free of external factors (traffic, busy roads, slippery roads, etc.)
- Children get the freedom to make errors and learn from mistakes
- Children are under the supervision of their teachers and other fellow peers
Learning by practice is better than just theory
“In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is.”
Anonymous
Theory is important, but it’s not the only way to learn. A misunderstood concept of learning something is that having all the knowledge and facts about something is the best way of learning a particular thing. In reality, this is not even close to being right. One of the most important elements in the learning process is the practical application of the knowledge acquired. Practice and experience go hand in hand in the learning process. You can’t learn a skill without some practice, and you can’t get better at a skill without some experience.
In addition, getting feedback from mistakes and successes while riding will help the student learn how to react when they are faced with those same situations again. Hence, practicing how to ride a motorcycle is much more important than simply learning the rules of the road and basic techniques. Let us now look at the benefits that parents get when their children learn motorcycle riding from their own schools!
Benefits for Parents
- Trustworthy – When it comes to the safety of their children, the school is arguably the most trustworthy place for parents. Schools provide both safety and security for the children that makes it one of the most trustworthy places.
- Sense of relief – The burden of 3rd party driving training is lifted off their shoulders. The surety and safety that school provides to the children gives a sense of relief to the parents regarding their child’s safety.
Learn Motorcycle Riding under a Professional Coach
Motorcycle riding is very popular, but it can be dangerous for teens. Motorcycle accidents are one of the leading causes of death among teenagers and young adults. Professional coaches can help you learn to ride safely and enjoyably.
A motorcycle coach is a professional who teaches people to ride motorcycles. They are usually paid by the hour and can provide a range of services, such as training, guidance and advice on riding techniques. The coach will teach you how to ride a motorcycle in a controlled environment, such as an indoor parking lot or an outdoor track. The coach will also show you how to maintain your bike and teach you about safety gear. Hence, taking the help of a professional will surely ease the learning process.
Benefits of Professional Motorcycle Coaching
- A coach is much more than just an instructor, they are your partner in your journey of learning how to ride.
- They can teach you the basics of riding a motorcycle, and help you develop the skills needed to become a safe and confident rider.
- The coach will be able to help you overcome any fears or anxieties that may arise as you learn how to ride a motorcycle.
- The coach can provide personalized attention and help you identify mistakes sooner, avoid potential pitfalls and build the needed skills faster.
Learning motorcycle riding in schools versus self learning
- Guidance– The major advantage that children can get while learning motorcycle riding in school is the support and guidance of their teachers and fellow peers. This is not possible for children that learn all by themselves. It’s essential to have some sort of guidance along the way to provide the necessary guidance that the child would require.
- Safety– The safety that the school can provide is top-notch, since the training is held inside the school premises. One of the biggest concerns that is covered for the parents is the safety of their children when they learn motorcycle riding at school. This level of safety is practically not possible back at home or at any other location.
- Time devoted – The school can provide a proper time- plan that the children have to follow which can help increase the time they spend learning motorcycle riding. More time equals more practice.
- Consistency – Consistency is primarily required whenever learning any particular skill. Getting those levels of consistency required for a teenager is pretty tough. While the children who learn motorcycle riding at school usually don’t encounter such issues due to the presence of their teachers. The consistency levels at schools are way higher than learning motorcycles all by yourself.
Summing It Up
Therefore to summarize, Motorcycle riding is an essential life skill that needs to be learnt with the utmost care and responsibility. We firmly believe that schools should take up the responsibility of providing motorcycle rider training to their students, as schools are the centers of learning, not only theoretical aspects, but practical life skills.
Schools need to target students as early as possible, ideally at 16 years of age. This is because at 16, one’s mind is open to learn new things and it is easier for them to accept new things and get used to them. Schools should take advantage of this opportunity and introduce new ideas and concepts early.
Now is the time to graduate school with not just a degree, but also a driving license!
