District Educator Article -December 99

What is Rider Education?
By David Dirig

I just finished writing my last newsletter article as Chapter Educator for CA1F, and it has made me recognize once again just how important a job Rider Education is. Dori and I are stepping down as Chapter Educators for CA1F effective December 1999 so that we may focus on the responsibilities of the District Educator office. I'd like to take a moment to tell you all what we think the Rider Education program is about. I have discussed with so many of you the rules and regulations of the Rider Education program, and I have spoken to and cajoled a number of you about late monthly reports. Its so easy to become embroiled in the bureaucracy and administration of the program that we overlook and/or take for granted the important issues. As we come down to the end of the year, I would ask that each of you take a moment and think about what you've accomplished in the last year for your chapter as well as what you wish for the future of your chapter. How does the Rider Education Program figure into your chapter goals?

Dori and I always stress that its the Chapter Educators that make this program work, but what is the goal of your program? Ask yourselves what accomplishments you want for the Rider Education Program within your chapter in the coming year. I would ask this question to all the officers of each chapter, as this is not simply limited to the Chapter Educators. Each of us has stepped forward as officers to take responsibility for our chapter; the team of CD, ACD, and CE is what makes the difference and success of this program across the state and nation. What does Rider Education really mean to you and your chapter?

Personally, I look on the Rider Education Program as a tremendously powerful tool to protect my friends and loved ones as we ride down the road. This tool is useful in helping people develop their riding skills and can easily save a life. Whether its selling the Rider Education Program or trying to help someone develop their riding skills through a PLP or a one-on-one conversation over a cup of coffee, this tool is not easily used. As with any difficult task, practice is needed and experience develops over time. Its often difficult to speak to someone about their riding skills; it doesn't matter if its a new acquaintance or a life-long friend. We all have a lot of pride tied up in our rides and our riding skills, and its often difficult or uncomfortable to bring up such a topic. The bottom line for the Rider Education program is promoting safety and helping people to learn proper riding techniques and/or un-learn bad habits. The former is easier than the latter; its much easier to help someone learn from scratch than to convince a rider of 30 years that counter-steering exists..

So how do we approach someone about changing their riding style in the interest of safe group riding? There is no right answer and each person will approach it in a different way, based on the people involved. It often takes a lot of tact and diplomacy to approach someone to offer help that is not asked for. Keep offering, as you could easily save someone's life. It is often hard to break through the shell of mutually-protected egos and face saving, but the end result is well worth the effort. Some will be offended, but ego bruises heal much faster and less painfully that real physical injuries and smashed plastic and chrome.

I learned that the hard way one brief moment that lasted an eternity heading into a curve on Hwy 49 this spring. Watching my bride swing wide in a curve and go down ahead of me when I could have prevented it is one of the defining moments of my life and our marriage. Each of us rides our own ride, so how can her accident be my responsibility? What is the one and only way that I can protect her when she is riding her own motorcycle? I realized the answer years ago and had a grim reminder of it last May. The only way that any of us can protect our friends and loved ones as we tool down the road is through safety and rider education. Short of remote-controlled ejector seats, there is no other way to prevent someone else from having an accident. Each of us rides our own ride, but we can still help each other and potentially save a life by speaking out and teaching. There are few sports/hobbies as unforgiving as the one that we participate in. If you recognize a way to help a fellow rider, take advantage of a moment and make the time to bring this up with them. How frustrating it is to discover after someone has gone down that you knew how to prevent the accident and said nothing! Group riding has many meanings and benefits; this is but one of them. When I think of the Rider Education Program, I think of the promotion of patches and pins is but a subterfuge for elevating the skills and preparedness of those around me. From a selfish standpoint, promoting and elevating the riding skills within my chapter not only protects them, but also acts to protect Dori and I when we're riding within the group.

So as we ride into the new year, take a moment and think about what you want to do with it. What have you accomplished in the past year and what do you want to do differently or the same in the coming year? Lets each set a goal of zero accidents for the coming year and elevate the safe riding skills of our chapters through an emphasis and promotion of the Rider Education Program. Lets start the new millennium off right! (You really didn't think I would go through the whole article and not use the word millennium, did you? :-)

Ride Safe and COAST (Concentrate On A Safe Trip)

D&D