SMART RiDER ACADEMY

By Stephen McDowell - Director and Principal Instructor - SMART Rider Academy

Many BMWMCQ members have now participated in the “How to keep it UP-RIGHT” rider training program at Jimboomba and have given very positive feedback about the course and the benefits they have received. The full day training course is run by SMART Rider Academy and helps riders to enjoy their riding more by teaching strategies that enhance your riding skills, reduce risks and eliminate close calls and crashes.

The program is an initiative of the Queensland Police Service in Jimboomba who wanted to create a program to help and educate riders. The program is subsidised with funding from the Queensland Transport Community Road Safety Grants program, reducing the cost to participants to just $50. The initial course includes a theory session, skills session in a closed carpark environment and a mentored road ride with the Academy’s team of instructors.

Based on feedback from participants, a level 2 course has now been created. Steve says people wanted to learn more slow speed and braking skills. “In our level 2 course we’ve included a training exercise to teach better braking techniques, and that‘s the basis of an emergency stop”, Steve explained. “We’ve also included a rapid change of direction exercise that helps riders avoid debris on the road and vehicles that pull out on you, and another to help refine low speed turns.”

The Level 2 course also uses a more challenging road ride up Mt Tamborine, a session on basic maintenance and provides an opportunity for participants to ask their own questions of the training team during an “Ask Me Anything” style theory session.

The course venue is the same, and - for a limited time - is the same cost. Although this round of government funding will end soon, SMART Rider Academy is already negotiating for further subsidies and has committed to continue running the program regardless. “We’ve secured a training area in Beenleigh and another at Caloundra for future courses”, Steve added. “These training areas will also allow us to run more specialised courses in the near future that teach a wider range of higher level skills.” More information about the “How to keep it UP-RIGHT”, upcoming course dates and registration details can be found at https://smartrideracademy.com or by calling Dianne on 1300 961 335 or Steve on 0411 519 994. You can also email Dianne at hello@smartrideracademy.com

Editor’s Feedback: We did an UP-RIGHT course back in February. The key was that it suited all levels of rider, and certainly made us think about road positioning in relation to other vehicles. The skills sessions were very good, the trainers knew their stuff and were able to explain theory in terms of minimising risk. And more importantly consequences. We’ll do level 2 for sure.