Revised GWRRA Rider Education - A Preview For those of you who could not attend the seminar on rider education at the district mini rally, I'd like to update you on the status of the revised program as reported. A huge part of the "Arizona Project" includes a review with recommended changes for the Rider Education Program (REP). Keep in mind that the fundamental concepts are now complete and approved by the national director of rider education. As the implementation details are yet to be determined, an optimistic "launch" date of January 1st was announced by the acting district director, Mr. Price. A selected committee of senior district GWRRA members designed a new program with the objectives of being more visible with value added to the member. An underlying current of their effort was to put more emphasis at the chapter level and members. There will be less focus on the national aspect of the program. Chapter S has a good foundation in place by having a Rider Education Team rather than just one individual administering the program. When the new program begins, the rider education team expands geometrically as each master tour rider has additional charges of becoming a mentor to new people entering the program and assisting in the expanded training seminars and exercises. Record keeping will be accomplished by each participant using a "Passport to Rider Education" booklet. Chapter educators will follow through by making updates to a district data base on-line. The program costs are not fully determined at this time as well as the question of "do we use different patches" and what are the recognition details? One new concept is an "introduction" level where the educator and a mentor meet with new members to gain their commitment, outline the program, and offer them a "passport".

Level I - Safety By Commitment Level One will require GWRRA membership and being a protégé to an assigned mentor. Training includes proper riding gear training and a rider/co-rider seminar. Members may stay at Level One for two years maximum. Level II - Safety By Education Level Two will require 5000 safe miles, a rider's course (basic, experienced, advanced, or skill enhancement) and if you use a side car or trailer, a class on that item. For the year you don't take a rider class, two Parking Lot Practice (PLP) sessions are required. Members may stay at Level Two for two years maximum. PLP Note: GWRRA provides a booklet entitled "Cornering Practice Guide" to be used for Parking Lot Practice (PLP) which serves as a substitute for formal motorcycle safety training in areas where formal training is otherwise unavailable. Use of this guide and PLP for the purpose of qualifying for Levels II through IV must be approved by the Region Educator. Level III - Safety By Preparedness Level Three will require 10,000 safe miles, Medic-First-Aid or equivalent training. A first aid kit is required on your machine. The member must be current within three years of a rider's course. For the year you don't take a rider class, two Parking Lot Practice (PLP) are required. A member may remain at Level Three indefinitely and the enrollment is scheduled for every two years. Level IV - Safety By Enhanced Commitment and Preparedness Level Four, the Master's level, requires 20,000 safe miles and currency in all lower level training requirements. Other training required will be a safety equipment class, a group riding class, T-clock seminar and road captain seminar. Master level members are required to return an average of 1 hour a month to the program either by being a mentor, teaching classes, coaching, assisting in PLPs, writing newsletter articles, etc. Renewal Process As the actual program evolves we will discover what works and what does not and make appropriate changes. We will be able to work the program at chapter level and watch it evolve. Some new curriculums need to be developed for seminars. New training opportunities and resources must be developed and large amounts of energy must still be invested. This will take an expanded Rider Ed team and a commitment at each chapter. Now, rather than stress out on the details of how are we going to do all this, how the money flows, and other details, rest assured that the team that developed the concepts will be meeting many more times to hammer out the "how to do it" details. For now "Stay tuned for Page 2"