Nova Scotia motorcycle course kicks off the season with a focus on safety

Riders take part in Marshall Law Driving Academy's motorcycle course. (CTV/Emma Convey)

Motorcycle riders are gearing up to sharpen their skills to take on the season ahead, legally and safety.

“I’ve always wanted to ride but never had the chance,” says Paul Sangster, course attendee.

Now Sangster is getting that chance, as Marshall Law driving academy hosts their first motorcycle safety training course of the season.

A total of 11 riders took the course this weekend, some returning and others getting on a bike for the first time.

“We have people that already have their licenses and are here to get their licenses reinstated if you will, they haven’t ridden for years, so are looking to get some basic skills under them, we have some new people here that have ridden dirt bikes for years and want to get their motorcycle license to drive on the road safely,” says Michael Tops, Marshall Law Driving academy senior instructor.

“And we have a couple of folks who have never driven before and one student that hasn’t even been behind the wheel of a car.”

Marshall Law Driving Academy started as a driver’s education program in 2020, and three years ago, owner Neil Marshall noticed a growing interest in motorcycles but a lack of course options for Nova Scotians.

“Motorcycle training, it’s good for insurance, safety training, it’s everybody else on the road, this gives you the basic life skills to last on the road in today’s fast paced society,” says Marshall.

The program starts Friday nights and by the end of the weekend, the goal is to leave with a new licence. All you need is a Nova Scotia Class 7 beginners license, a helmet and gloves, the team has the rest.

“We are a one stop shop; you don’t have to go to access and do anything. You come right here and I vet your license and you’re on board. If you are successful at the end of the course, you ride away with a license,” says Marshall.

The instructor demonstrates and walks the riders through drills and then practice makes perfect.

“Everything from how to put your gear on, how to start the bike, how to make it move and how to stop the speed and everything in between,” says Tops.

Part of this weekend’s riding crew is 16-year-old Chaz Miller. He’s more eager to get behind the handlebars than the wheel of a car.

“I feel like to ride freely on a motorcycle on a highway. I feel like that would be very peaceful and it would definitely be cool because I am still in high school and I don’t know, maybe I would get more attention,” says Miller.

Miller says this course will also help him pursue his future endeavors.

“I want to make a motorcycle brand, maybe sell some digital products like an entrepreneur kind of thing. I would basically like to be a business guy off of motorcycles, the gym and maybe some electric guitar,” says Miller.

“Generally, thirty percent of our clientele is women, they are tired of being passengers and they want to get out and be their own boss.”

There are still many more classes riders can sign up for this season. Their locations include Brooklyn, Halifax, Lower Sackville and Pugwash. Those interested in learning more about their upcoming programs, can do so on their website.

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