The Navy's course is a “one size fits all” program, which does not fit the needs of sailors. It is not the right training for every rider in the navy and it is not delivered at the right time.
Could one “nationally recognized” course meet the needs of every prospective rider?
Our motorcycle training is ineffective for two specific groups of riders.
I refer to riders with a year or more of riding time “experienced”.
1. Experienced riders do not belong in a basic course. Which requires more skill, riding in traffic for a year or a 15 hour course in a parking lot? To force riders to with a year or more of experience to attend “basic rider training” is a waste of resources.
2. If we did away with training for experienced riders, we are left with the group of riders who benefit most from rider training. The new riders, while they benefit the most from the training, we require them to accept an unnecessary risk by riding their motorcycle to the range in traffic on the streets in order to take the class. Once again the level of skill needed to get to the course exceeds the level of skill needed to complete it.
Recommendations
For beginners, immediately stop providing license waivers for Course graduates, if they have developed the appropriate amount of skill they should be able to earn it from an impartial DMV examiner.
Tailor training to new riders they truly need it the most and find some way to discourage them from riding their bike in traffic for the first time to get to the class. Since most civilian schools provide the bike. Why not pay part of the tuition for new riders or let them use TA? Encourage them to attend these courses before buying a bike, so if they decide that motorcycling is not for them, they have no need to buy a bike to discover it.
For experienced riders, why not let them challenge the final riding test and get on with their day. Maybe for motivated experienced riders offer more experienced rider courses.
