Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Below are frequently asked questions regarding the Rider Education Program, GWRRA's focus on Safety, as well as the role of Educators within GWRRA. If your question is not here, email us to get your answer!
Why did GWRRA develop the Rider Education Program?
How do I get involved?
What is a Chapter Educator?
How do I become a Chapter Educator?
Who can validate a Rider Education application?
Are photocopies of
certification cards required with Rider Education applications?
What are Safe Miles?
What are High Miles?
Why are there two different Mileage Programs?
Why was I given a 5000 Safe Miles pin with my Level One when I don't have any Safe Miles?
Can a Co-Rider advance in the Rider Education Program if their Rider does not?
What is considered proper Riding Gear?
What can an Educator do if members refuse to wear proper riding apparel?
Where do the Rider Ed patches and pins go on my vest?
Does Level One have to be renewed?
Why do I have to renew Level Two, Three, and Four?
When do I renew my highest Rider Ed Level?
If I am advancing in the program, do I have to renew the old level?
Do Co-Riders have to take the Co-Rider seminar every three years to satisfy the renewal requirements for Levels Two and Four?
I received a Level Four renewal notice from National. Where do I send my renewal paperwork?
I am a Life Member. Do I still have to renew my current Rider Ed Level?
Do Life Members pay renewal fees?
Do Life Members pay for Hanger Bars?
What can an Educator do to handle members who resist enrolling in the Rider Education Program in mid-year because they don't feel they get their 'monies worth' with having to renew in January?
What is an ERC?
I know how to ride! Why would I pay for a riding course?
How do I find an ERC?
How can I reduce the cost of an ERC?
How do Trike and Sidecar drivers resolve the on-bike motorcycle course requirement?
Where do I find a First Aid/CPR class?
How do I bring FA/CPR training to my District/Chapter?
What is Medic FirstAid?
Since GWRRA has collaborated with Medic FirstAid for FA/CPR training, does that mean other FA/CPR providers are not allowed for GWRRA-sponsored classes?
Are professionals with current FA/CPR certifications (e.g. Nurses, Law enforcement, Paramedics, etc) required to take a GWRRA FA/CPR class to qualify for Rider Education Program Levels 3 and 4?
How do GWRRA members gain access to Medic FirstAid training?
How can GWRRA members get trained to teach FA/CPR as MFA instructors?
What is a PLP?
How do I set up a PLP?
Does a PLP have to be limited to the GWRRA Cornering Practice Guide?
Does PLP participation qualify a rider for Level Two or Level Four?
What are Skills Games?
What is Top Gun?
Answers
Why did GWRRA develop the Rider Education Program? The GWRRA Rider Education Program was developed with the goal of making motorcycling safer by reducing injuries and fatalities & increasing motorcyclist skills & awareness. The Rider Education Program does not propose to have all the answers. However, our close-working relationship with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), as well as additional GWRRA programs and studies, has provided a wealth of information in establishing a comprehensive Rider Education Program.
How do I get involved? The only pre-requisite for getting started in the Rider Education Program is being a GWRRA member! Contact any GWRRA officer to sign up and find out more. If you are not riding with a chapter, feel free to email the Region Educators for further assistance.
What is a Chapter Educator? The Chapter Educator is one of the most important positions in GWRRA. The desire to reduce injuries and fatalities for the motorcycle community is a high calling indeed. As the words safety and knowledge account for two thirds of the GWRRA motto, “FRIENDS FOR FUN, SAFETY, AND KNOWLEDGE”, it is important that the Chapter Educator be committed to safe motorcycle riding and is capable of furthering the knowledge of our participants regarding safe motorcycle handling.
How do I become a Chapter Educator? If your chapter has a Chapter Educator, contact them to see if they would like to have an Assistant. If your chapter does not have a Chapter Educator, contact your Chapter Director who selects the prospective Chapter Educator. The Chapter Director will provide an Officer Application, Memorandum of Understanding, Memorandum of Member Information Confidentiality and Knowledge Level Evaluation to the prospective Chapter Educator, along with a copy of the Officers Guidebook and Rider Education Handbook for reference. See the Forms page for these documents.
Who can validate a Rider Education application? Any GWRRA Officer can sign off on Rider Education Paperwork.
Are photocopies of certification cards required with Rider
Education applications?
Photocopies, however, can be highly useful to document expiration dates and dates courses were taken. Without photocopies of cards being kept on record at either Chapter or District level, we have no information to act on your behalf in case of questions down the road. If available, photocopies are useful, but this should never delay or impede the processing of Rider Education Program applications.
What are Safe
Miles? Safe Miles
are defined as miles ridden since joining GWRRA or since the rider/co-rider’s
last accident.
Updated in 5000 Miles (pin) and 100,000 Miles (patch) increments.
What are High Miles? High Miles include ALL miles ridden
on ANY motorcycle, regardless of accidents or GWRRA membership.
Updated in 50,000 Mile
increments (Pin w/ hanger bar).
Why are there two different Mileage Programs? The two mileage programs were designed to recognize all riding done by a member, both the Safe miles ridden within the Safety Guidelines of GWRRA and whatever miles have been ridden before a member joined GWRRA. Maintain your mileage in both programs and show off your accomplishments!
Why was I given a 5000 Safe Miles pin with my Level One when I don't have any Safe Miles? Safe Miles are no longer required for Level One. However, the paperwork is still set up to update and keep track of Safe Miles when members sign up for Level One. If you signed up for Level One without any Safe Miles, the lowest increment pin (5K) was issued. When you apply for Level Two, at least 5000 Safe Miles is required and will have to be certified by a GWRRA officer at that time.
Can a Co-Rider advance in the Rider Education Program if their Rider does not? Yes! Since 1999, co-riders can advance through to Level Four regardless of the Level or involvement of their rider. There is no longer a linkage between Co-Rider and Rider in terms of advancing to Level Three or Four of the Rider Education Program.
What is considered proper riding gear? Proper riding gear (required for participation in Skills Games, Top Gun, and Drill Team) consists of helmet, eye protection (windshield does NOT suffice), long sleeves, full-finger gloves, long pants, and over-the-ankle leather footwear (boots preferred).
What are Educators to do about chapter members who ride without proper apparel (specifically riding in shorts or without helmets)? Can CE’s tell them to get into compliance or ask them to leave the group and not tell them about up-coming rides? Each rider and co-rider will make their own decision based on their acceptable level of risk. All that Directors and Educators can do is set a good example by wearing the proper gear and try to convince members of the prudence/importance of wearing proper riding apparel. Educators are purveyors of safety information, not enforcers or riding apparel police.
It is not the place of an Educator to "tell someone to get in compliance, ask them to leave the chapter, or prevent them from riding with the chapter." GWRRA Rider Education is about including people, encouraging safety through education and teaching, and informing members on risk reduction techniques. In the end, each member makes their own decisions and rides their own ride. We cannot force people to wear proper riding gear, nor should we ostracize someone who does not. All we can do is educate about safe riding habits. It’s about Diplomacy & Information, not Coercion.
Where do the Rider Ed patches and pins go on my vest? There is no set lay out for the patches, and everyone incorporates their own personality into their chapter vests. Click here for one possible layout of the REP patches and pins.
Does Level One have to be renewed? Level One requires only a commitment to safety and does not need to be renewed.
Why do I have
to renew Level Two, Three, and Four? Levels Two,
Three and Four involve required training course that must be repeated to stay
current in the relevant skills. The intent of the renewal process is to not
only encouraging training and skills development, but to also stay CURRENT in
these skills by retaking the classes at required intervals.
When do I renew my highest Rider Ed Level? Levels Two, Three, and Four are due for renewal each year on January 1.The exception is if a new level is awarded in the last quarter of the year. If awarded in Oct, Nov, or Dec, renewal is not required until the following year.
If a member is advancing to Level 3 (or 4), do they first have to renew their level 2 (or 3) and be charged the extra $2 for the renewal in order to advance in the Rider Education Program? No. While the Rider Education Program guidelines state that a member must be current in their present level, our primary focus as Educators should be to include and advance as many people in the program as possible. Someone who is advancing to Level 3 or 4 has already invested substantial time, effort, and funds to advance in the Program. If someone is current at Level 2 and advancing to level 3 or is current at Level 3 and advancing to Master, there is no need to renew the prior level.
Do Co-Riders have to take the Co-Rider seminar every three years to satisfy the renewal requirements for Levels Two and Four? While the Co-Rider Seminar is the primary training tool targeted at the Co-Rider, there are other options that satisfy renewal requirements. These are the MSF 2-up ERC and the GWRRA Rider Courses taken 2-up. Note that these qualify the Co-Rider only if they attend both the classroom and range portion with their rider.
I received a Level Four renewal notice from National. Where do I send my renewal paperwork? National sends out renewal notices to individual Level Four Master Tour Riders and Co-Riders. You have your choice of sending this renewal directly to National or sending it through the Region F Rider Ed Chain of Command. It is recommended that ALL paperwork, including Level Four Renewals, be sent through the Chapter-District-Region Ed chain so that everyone stays in the loop. If you send direct to National and something goes wrong or gets lost, your Region Education support structure will not be able to help you resolve the situation.
I am a Life Member. Do I still have to renew my current Rider Ed Level? Life Members must still stay current in all Rider Ed related classes and requirements of their highest level.
Do Life Members
pay renewal fees? Life
Members are recognized for their commitment and do not have to pay renewal fees
when they renew their highest Rider Ed level each year.
Do Life Members
pay for hanger bars?
While
Life Members renew their highest Rider Ed level at no charge, they still must
pay $2 for the renewal year bar (hanger bars) if they want it. If a Life Member renewal application is
sent in without money, no year bar will be issued.
What do Educators do about people who resist enrolling in the REP in Mid-year because
they don’t receive their ‘monies worth’ since they have to renew six months
later in January? Keep
track of those people who are worried about getting their ‘monies worth’ during
the summer. Come back to these same people in October. If getting their ‘monies
worth’ is the limiting issue, these people should jump at the chance to get ‘3
months for free’ in October! Levels awarded in last quarter of the year are
exempt from renewal the following January.
What is an ERC? The
Motorcycle Safety
Foundation provides a class called an Experienced Rider
Course (ERC). For more information, check out the MSF website.
I know how to ride! Why would I
pay for a riding course? Motorcycling is a dangerous sport
that requires physical and mental skills. Skills Development takes practice and
requires constant learning to both develop skills further and prevent the
development of unsafe/improper habits. By collaborating with MSF, GWRRA fosters
this learning environment by requiring an ERC (or other riding course) at least
every 3 years.
How do I find
an ERC?
Call (800) 446-9227 toll free for
the Rider Course® location nearest you.
How can I reduce the cost of an ERC? Members of Honda Riders Club of America (HRCA) are
reimbursed for taking an ERC up to $75/year. Membership in HRCA costs $40/year.
Thus, joining HRCA can reduce the cost of an annual ERC. A second option is to
take the ERC at either a GWRRA Region Rally or Wing Ding where the cost of the
class is subsidized by GWRRA and offered for $20 to $25 per student.
How do Trike and Sidecar drivers resolve the on-bike motorcycle course
requirement? GWRRA
developed a Trike Riding class in 2000 that is being made available at Region
Rallies and Wing Ding. Contact your District Educator for more information on
this course. GWRRA has developed and trailed a Sidecar Course at the 2004 Wing
Ding. It is being finalized and
should be released soon. Until
then, sidecar drivers should contact United Sidecar Association for the
availability of a Sidecar class in their area. For those Trike or Sidecar
drivers who also pull trailers, there is also a GWRRA Trailering class that is
generally available at Wing Ding that also satisfies the on-bike training
course requirement.
Where do I find
a First Aid /CPR class? Most
Regions or Districts have FA/CPR Instructors available to teach. Contact your
District or Region Educator to find out about FA/CPR class availability.
How do I bring First Aid/CPR training to my District/Chapter? Individual members can be trained in the Medic First Aid/CPR
curriculum through GWRRA and be certified to teach FA/CPR. If interested,
contact your District or Region staff.
What is Medic First
Aid? Medic FirstAid is a
nationally recognized training program for FA/CPR training. Medic First Aid
courses are good for 2 years for both FA and CPR, so there is no confusion as
to expiration dates. Through collaboration with GWRRA, Medic FirstAid training
can be obtained through GWRRA-trained Instructors for no more than $20/person.
Since GWRRA has collaborated with Medic First Aid for FA/CPR training, does that mean other FA/CPR
providers are not allowed for GWRRA-sponsored classes? No. The goal of the REP is to encourage safety training from whatever
sources are most useful & convenient at the Chapter level. There is nothing
wrong with using other FA/CPR training providers and there is no obligation to
use Medic First Aid. The GWRRA/Medic First Aid collaboration is designed to
provide a low-cost option and Chapter-level training of instructors and
members.
Are professionals with current FA/CPR certifications (e.g. Nurses, Law enforcement, Paramedics, etc) required to take a GWRRA FA/CPR class to qualify for REP Levels 3 and 4? No. The requirements for Level 3 and 4 is current First Aid/CPR training. If professionals already have training and can prove that they are current, this satisfies the FA/CPR requirement.
How do GWRRA members gain access to Medic First Aid training? Contact your District Educator or District Director for the names of Instructors in you area. Further questions on this topic should be referred to the Region F Rider Educator.
How can GWRRA members get trained to teach FA/CPR as MFA instructors? Contact your District Educator or District Director for information on Instructor Preparation courses in your area. Further questions on this topic should be referred to the Region F Rider Educator.
What is a PLP? Parking Lot Practices are a way to increase the skill level of your chapter members and yourself under controlled conditions. The concept is to gain access to a closed parking lot where you can layout different slow speed handling and braking drills. PLP’s are highly recommended!
How do I set up a PLP? Click here for more information. Also consult the California District Educating the Educator manual as well as Dori Dirig's Safety Article on PLP set up.
Can Parking Lot Practices (PLP’s) use more than the GWRRA Cornering Practice Guide? In Region F, the answer is Yes! The Cornering Practice Guide plus other riding drills may be included in a PLP. Recommended additional drills for a Chapter’s PLP curriculum include the Skills Games (both 1-up and 2-up) and Top Gun drills to enhance riding abilities and add variety to chapter activities. These drills and layouts are available from the Clearinghouse page of the Region F Rider Education website.
Does PLP participation qualify a rider for Level Two or Level Four? No. While the PLP is highly recommended and beneficial to riders and co-riders alike, professionals do not teach these drills and the curriculum is not as extensive as a Motorcycle Safety Foundation or GWRRA riding course. Please reference the Rider Education Handbook, Eighth Edition, Section C.3.2 for a more extensive listing of approved riding courses that satisfy Rider Course requirements for riders and/or co-riders in Rider Education Program.
What are Skills Games? GWRRA Skills Games are a set of riding drills designed for friendly competition at Rallies. These drills can also be used in a PLP setting. Skills Games are separated into 1-up, 2-up, and Trike/Trailer competitions. For more information, contact your District Educator and reference the Skills Games file downloadable off the Clearinghouse page.
What is Top Gun? Top Gun is a more complicated set of riding drills targeted only toward 1-up riders. There are 9 separate slow speed, swerve, and braking drills as well as three different levels of expertise. Top Gun is designed as an all-day skills event and is generally available at Wing Ding and some Region Rallies. For more information, contact your District Educator and reference the Top Gun file downloadable off the Clearinghouse page.