ACTC Offers Weekend Motorcycle Course

Ashland Community and Technical College will offer a weekend Basic Rider 1 Course six times this summer to help new motorcyclists prepare for the road and earn a waiver for the license skills test.

The twenty-hour course meets on Friday from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Dates are June 20-22, July 25-27, August 1-3, August 15-17, September 5-7 and October 3-5.

This program is endorsed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, a national, nonprofit organization sponsored by motorcycle manufacturers Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, BMW, BRP, KTM, Harley-Davidson, Victory, Piaggio, Triumph, and Ducati.

The course is for non-riders, new riders, or someone wanting a refresher course. No prior motorcycle experience is required, but participants should be able to ride a bicycle.

Participants will learn to maneuver and operate a motorcycle in a course that includes about five hours of classroom instruction and 15 hours of riding exercises in a controlled environment.All sessions must be attended in order to successfully complete the course.

The first night of classroom work includes information about riding gear, controls, braking procedures and street strategies for road safety. Saturday and Sunday sessions focus on riding skills.Participants get experience in using the controls, straight line riding, braking, shifting and turning, cornering and u-turns, with pointers about braking on curves, swerving, running over obstacles and other situations.

The Friday evening class will meet in Building 1 at the Roberts Drive Campus located at 4818 Roberts Drive in Summit, KY. Saturday and Sunday classes will be held in the parking of Boyd County Middle School located at 1226 Summit Road.

Motorcycles and helmets will be provided, but participants may bring their own DOT-approved helmet. Participants will also need eye protection, over-the-ankle boots or shoes, long sturdy slacks or jeans, long sleeve shirt or jacket and full fingered gloves with a vinyl or leather palm.

Those who successfully pass the course will get a waiver for the motorcycle license skills test and may be eligible for reduced insurance rates. Currently the licensing - skill test waiver is available for Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia residents. Check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles or KMP at 800-396-3234.

The course is taught by Rider Coaches who are fully certified by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and approved by the Kentucky Motorcycle Rider Education Program.

Participants must be at least 16 years of age at the time of the class and have a valid permit. Liability waivers are required of all course participants and will be provided on the first night of class. Those under 18 years of age must have a notarized waiver form signed by a parent or guardian before taking the course. Contact ACTC Lifelong Learning to receive the form.

The Basic Rider I fee is $110 for KY residents and $200 for OH or WV residents. The fee must be paid at the time of registration. To register or for more information, call ACTC External Education Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 606-326-2072 or 800-928-4256 ext. 62072 or come to Room 119 at the Roberts Drive Campus.