Training for Motorcycle Driving

Novice motorcyclists are vulnerable people when it comes to road safety. Scientific efforts to understand the phenomena associated with this group of people are still limited. This study focuses on initial motorcycle training. It rests on two basic assumptions: that optimizing riding can reduce accident hazards, and that studying what is actually taught can lead to better training courses. The teaching content was systematically analyzed as part of a study made from actual teaching situations. Observations and remarks were gathered throughout the motorcycle rider training, and completed by observations done in three other driving schools. The results show the relative poverty of observed teaching situations: overrated teaching of “closed” skills to the detriment of more “open” riding skills, focus on skills that are rarely used on a motorcycle, and excessive repetition of exam situations. Ways to improve the initial training are suggested for discussion.