| You've taken the plunge and purchased your first | | | | couple of occasions. If it weren't for the safety |
| motor scooter. You were sick of paying today's high | | | | instruction that I received from the course, I may not |
| gas prices and you decided to do something about it. | | | | have been so lucky. |
| Congratulations! You've just opened a new chapter of | | | | The next part of the class was the fun part: hands-on |
| fun in your life. Before you dawn your new helmet, it is | | | | riding instruction. I believe that we used these little |
| probably wise to invest a scooter safety course. | | | | 250cc motorcycles for this part of the class. Some |
| You should check with your state's laws regarding | | | | riders chose to use their own motorcycles and motor |
| license requirements. If you need to obtain a class CM1 | | | | scooters. Some of the important areas covered here |
| license to legally ride your motor scooter, some states | | | | were handling, signaling, turning, and braking. The |
| require that you complete a motorcycle/ motor | | | | braking section of the course was the most |
| scooter safety course. I believe that it is a good idea | | | | entertaining as we were required to perform a |
| to go ahead and enroll in a safety course, even if you | | | | controlled skid in front of the instructor. |
| are not required by law to do so in your state. It will | | | | While speed is one of the main factors in most |
| cost you a few bucks, but the lessons learned may | | | | motorbike accidents, misjudgment is another. It is |
| save your life one day. | | | | important to not only judge your speed through turns |
| I took the California motorcycle safety course several | | | | for example, but it is also important to judge what the |
| years ago as part of the requirement to obtain my | | | | vehicles around you might do. Another big reason for |
| CM1 license. We spent a few hours in the classroom | | | | motorbike accidents is being invisible to a person |
| going over the rules that you need to follow as a rider. | | | | driving an automobile. It is common for a car up ahead |
| I'll never forget this line from my instructor during the | | | | to cut a rider off when making a lane change. |
| first few minutes of the class: "There are two types | | | | Again, you've made a wise investment in your new |
| of motorcyclists - one that has been in an accident, | | | | motor scooter. Make a smarter choice and enroll in a |
| and one that will." I'm sure that this haunting line applies | | | | motor scooter safety course to ensure that you will |
| to motor scooter riders as well. Fortunately, I haven't | | | | become a skilled and responsible motor scooter rider. |
| yet experienced this fate, but have come close on a | | | | |