Learning to fly
LET'S TORQUE
| Ten minutes later, I was addicted. I took a four-year break after that half-hour riding session and returned to motorcycling full-time, armed with a legal license when I turned eighteen. Oh, and some credit is due to my bro-in-law who let me sneak his white Kinetic Honda out for rides on colony roads. |
| I think most of us have similar stories. We all learnt to ride from someone who knew where the controls were. Were these people highly skilled? Probably not. Were these people great at imparting a skill as delightful/dangerous as motorcycle riding can be? Probably not. But the point is, we all did it this way. |
| Now talk to car guys. And suddenly, you'll hear of driving schools. I'm not saying Indian driving schools are God's own, but at least they exist. Heard of an Indian motorcycle school for beginners? Ever? |
| In the US, there is an organisation called the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. It was created in the sixties to live up to its name and arguably, it has. |
| It runs beginner and advanced level courses across the country and those who successfully finish learn how to ride a motorcycle well, and get fringe benefits like insurance rebates. And the organisation is funded by all the manufacturers who work together to keep the future of motorcycling safe. |
| In India, I know that Honda dealerships are supposed to give you a fifteen minute safety primer when you buy one. But Hero Honda just started India's first riding school. |
| Which is commendable. It is based in Nagpur, and frankly, the information on the school is scanty, but it is a start. We need more of these and fast. Anybody listening? |