The Saskatchewan Safety Council is pleased to mark its 30^th year of teaching new and existing motorcyclists to ride safer. Beginning in 1976, the Saskatchewan Safety Council started to offer the first motorcycle-training program in Canada and Saskatchewan.

The need for motorcycle training was obvious. Motorcycle fatalities peaked in 1973, when 903 motorcyclists died on Canadian roads. The heavy toll of deaths and injuries raised an alarm, which led to the Canada Safety Council's motorcycle training program, the first program of its kind in the world. Transport Canada provided seed funding in 1973-74, and the motorcycle industry has provided ongoing support since then.

Today, Gearing Up is Canada's only national motorcycle rider training program. It has developed an enviable reputation both in Canada and internationally for its excellence in course curriculum and delivery.

Teaching someone how to ride a motorcycle is very different from training a new driver. Most new drivers need to learn how to operate the vehicle, obey the rules of the road and relate to traffic. On the other hand, most beginning motorcycle riders already know how to drive and have experience in the road environment. The bike is a second vehicle, often bought for recreation, and they want to be able to handle it safely.

The Saskatchewan Motorcycle Training Program teaches new and existing riders important skills that they can use to ride longer and safer.

Some of the topics covered: