On any given summer weekend in sunny Colorado, the roads come alive with people partaking in one of the nation’s most popular activities—motorcycle riding. Often unseen, however, is the hard work any given rider will invest in motorcycle training. Such training plays a significant role in keeping Colorado roads safe for all.
With so many factors making motorcyclists the most vulnerable motorists on our roads, motorcycle riding is an activity that requires special safety considerations. These preliminary safety protocols require riders to develop a set of special motorcycle-specific skills, which means undergoing specialized training.
Concerning safe riding, the smartest thing riders can do is learn to avoid compromising situations. A trusted resource on this topic is the counsel of Mountain States Injury Law. As an experienced Colorado motorcycle accident law firm, our extensive practice has enabled us to become conversation partners on motorcycle safety with riders of all sorts.
Importance of Taking a Colorado Motorcycle Safety Course and Benefits
A major difference between cars and motorcycles is that motorcycle riders are more exposed. This makes motorcycle riding much more dangerous than driving a car, and it means that special skills are required to ride safely. This is why successful completion of special motorcycle training is required for new riders before they can legally take to the road.
Such classes ensure that riders possess the basic skills and knowledge to participate in the motorcycling journey responsibly and without compromise. A riding class takes place within a controlled environment. These classes empower new riders to get their bearings with a basic rider course that teaches riding skills and knowledge of motorcycle controls.
General Topics of Motorcycle Safety Courses
General topics in a riding course cover all the basics of riding. A quality course emphasizes helping students safely transition onto public roads as fully endorsed drivers. Each student rider will be trained and tested to see how well they’ve retained the information. Course topics include riding skills, riding hazards, emergency maneuvers, and the importance of wearing a helmet.
A big topic students receive training for is riding gear. No matter how experienced, riders should don:
- A helmet
- Proper eye protection
- Over-the-ankle boots
- Full finger gloves
- Long sleeve shirt or jacket
- Heavy denim
This motorcycle training course is the most fundamental of all. Course instructors are trusted and seasoned professionals equipped with the knowledge to get new riders ready for the road. They assist with gaining a comprehensive grasp on the most basic topics ranging from why helmets are important to riders to how to check the pressure in your tires.
Colorado Motorcycle Safety Courses
No matter if you’re a new rider searching for your first class, or you’ve learned to ride with the help of friends or family. If you’re headquartered in Castle Rock or anywhere near it, there’s likely a riding course nearby to help get you road-ready. More information on where to take a training class is available through the Colorado DMV or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
Additionally, several courses are offered through specific institutes. Here are some courses offered along with brief descriptions:
Colorado Motorcycle Academy
Operating since 2016 is the Colorado Motorcycle Academy. Located in Broomfield, the Colorado Motorcycle Academy offers seven training courses over three levels—Starting the Ride (beginner), Continuing the Ride (intermediate), and Mastering the Ride (advanced).
Starting courses are for new riders, those with less than 40 riding hours, and would-be intermediate riders who’ve taken long breaks from riding. Continuing courses are for experienced riders looking to advance their riding skills. Mastering courses are for advanced riders looking to further hone their skills around speed, agility, varied surfaces, and more.
Motorcycle Training Academy
Located in Colorado Springs, Motorcycle Training Academy offers 14 training courses across different areas. They also offer special deals that package multiple courses together. Course offered include:
- Basic Bike Bonding RiderCourse
- First aid/CPR
- Three-Wheel Basic RiderCourse
- Advanced RiderCourse
- Experience RiderCourse
- Motorcycle Traffic Simulator
- Group Riding
- Individual Instruction
- Intersection Motorist Awareness
- Introductory Motorcycle Experience and more
Their classes are held on closed-circuit courses. Lightweight motorcycles and scooters are provided during training at no additional cost. They boast a team of 19 different instructors. Additionally, they are a veteran-run training company offering riding courses specifically targeted toward service-connected safety measures and certifications.
Iron Buffalo Motorcycle Training
Headquartered in Denver, Iron Buffalo Motorcycle Training offers five training courses—Basic, Intermediate, Advanced (part 1 and part 2), 3-wheel Can-am, and Trike and Sidecar. Affordably priced, courses range from $199 to $385. They’re the 2023 winners of the Vendor of the Year for MOST (Motorcycle Operator Safety Training) Colorado State Patrol.
Their website states that their team has more than 30 years of combined experience riding. They’re a lifestyle-oriented operation seeking to impart students with lessons that will empower them for as many years as they can safely operate a motorcycle.
Additional Course Considerations
When contacting a course, be sure to inform them of any special medical requirements or other special considerations. When searching for a weekend class, double-check the registration fee because it could be different from that of a weekday class. In most cases, the full registration fee must be paid to attend class. A training bike for your class is usually provided for you.
Classroom instructors are trained to create a fun environment where students can develop their passion and explore the calling to ride. In most cases, classroom instructors prefer to ride motorcycles in their personal lives. This makes them invaluable resources that most novice riders without previous experience can easily identify with in their journey to being road-ready.
For your safety course needs, check out these training resources from the schools above as well as others in the state of Colorado:
The Most Dangerous Roads in Colorado
