Pennsylvania's rider training regimen just got a whole lot better

Pennsylvania is a good place to be if you’re in the process of learning to ride. Why's that? Well, it is one of the only states in the US to offer free riding lessons, provided you’re a resident. As if that wasn't good enough, this year, for the first time, the state will be using the program from the well-known Californian riding school, Total Control.

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The Total Control school is located in Victorville, California, on the outskirts of Los Angeles. It offers training and lessons to riders with different level of experience, everything from beginners’ classes to advanced training. The school has been around for almost 20 years and has collaborated with numerous agencies such as The Marine Corps, Air Force, California Highway Patrol, and National Guard. The company's latest client is none other than the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The state’s PennDOT rider training program was founded in the mid-80s and for the first time in 30 years, it is turning to a private school to provide the curriculum. This has, however, caused for the scheduled classes to begin later than usual and the transition will require a bit of time to be fully up to speed. According to Bobby Fitzmayer, community relations manager for the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program and Total Control instructor, more and more classes are expected to open up in the upcoming weeks.

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For instance, beginners will now run the closed course by foot, walking their motorcycle through the exercises to get a feel for their bike before they hoist their feet on the pegs and twist the throttle. The groups are kept small so that every new rider receives proper attention and time with the instructor. New riders will receive class time and are expected to complete a written exam before jumping to practical training. They will also need to complete a skills test in order to receive their license.

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Classes for all levels of riders are offered and, according to Fitzmayer, you should never stop learning.

“When a motorcyclist thinks he can’t learn anymore, in my personal opinion, he should park the bike,” he told Action4.

Truthfully, we have to agree with him. According to PennDOT, being on a motorcycle makes you 38 times more vulnerable to crashes, so never stop learning and improving; that’s how we reduce the risks of ambulance rides.

Source: Pittsburgh Action4 News

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