There is currently a great deal of introspection happening in the motorcycle training industry, opinions are abound about how to improve proficiency and to what level students should be when they graduate their first novice level course. What is best for the novice student is argued at every level, creating labels and levels to measure these different opinions and thoughts without taking the time to scientifically measure whether there is any reliable method at all.
A colleague mentioned recently the paucity of research in our field creating a question as to why we don’t scientifically look for answers and why do we continue to rely on data that is 50 years old in our community. This thread of thought was reinforced by another colleague who in the same conversation commented about the Hurt report, not knowing the comment continues drag us back into the past. Do not get me wrong, it is and will be forever be a seminal study that informed the community; However, the scope was limited and the confounding variables were numerous, there is much left to be known and certainly over the last 20 years it seems as if we have been limited by our own inability to move forward.
The reality is a greater portion of rider education is accomplished at the basic or novice level. The “collective we” have been focusing mostly on motor skill development in ways that continue to improve but also to continue missing the key determinants of behavior and risk management coupled with consistent reinforcement. Novice training/education is only a beginning in gaining the experiences needed to safely operate powered two or three wheeled vehicles on public roadways.
The old adages of “telling ain’t training” and “you haven’t taught, until they have learned” remain as steadfast reminders that one short course does not meet the needs of a novice rider. There is no single riding course magic pill to instill all the knowledge a novice student will require, which remains an indicator even though some programs are trying to decrease the amount of FaceTime with instructors. The need for consistent follow on education to reinforce experience has been proven around the world, but in the United States we opt for the freedom to crash, injure, and die without acknowledging the outcomes. Moreover, the disagreements within our community do little to move the collective message forward. Consider this thought carefully — division has diluted our worth. When we should be singing the praises of our best proven and well researched methodologies, some remain busy posturing with questionable claims that have yet to be proven or scrutinized.
Is it possible for us to collectively come to an agreement on what is best for most? We could be leveraging our different understandings to provide multiple levels of experiences while enhancing and reinforcing multiple learning levels. Most of all, great work has been done by others in the larger powered two and three wheeled space to provide well researched information. Perhaps the right leadership can make a greater difference in the education of “OUR” community. What are your thoughts on the subject?
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