Experienced Rider Course

The Experienced Rider Course (ERC) was developed by the Ottawa Safety Council, and has been taught in Ottawa for more than twenty years.

      The ERC is a skills improvement course for experienced riders. You take this course using your own motorcycle, not one of our Gearing Up course bikes, so you will be honing your relationship with your own machine. The OSC course instructors take this course themselves as part of their annual refresh and re-certification.
      The ERC is not a "race course." It is designed to help ordinary riders improve their everyday street riding skills.
 
What you Get
By taking the Experienced rider Course you will get a full day's training and coaching by highly qualified instructors, on riding techniques on your own motorcycle. You will improve your day-to-day riding techniques and practice emergency techniques under controlled conditions, allowing you to learn your own response times and limitations, and those of your bike. You'll receive individual feedback and coaching on your particular riding technique, and will make improvements you can feel right away.
 
Course Outline
The ERC consists of a brief evening session and a full day's riding. It is normally taught to a relatively small group by one or two instructors.
      The evening session consists of a technical inspection of your bike's brakes, suspension, tires, and general condition (to ensure it will be safe for the riding session) and an interactive lecture and discussion about riding techniques, limits, and risks.
      The riding day, usually a Saturday or Sunday, consists of approximately eight hours of riding and coaching in a variety of topics. There are breaks for refreshments and lunch, but food and drink are not provided.
      Since the ERC has no legal status (it does not correspond to a graduated licensing level) there is no test associated with the course.
      The course will proceed rain or shine, so bring appropriate clothing for the weather. We highly recommend you bring sunscreen and you should bring drinks as the course is physically demanding.
 
Prerequisites & Rules
You must be a licensed motorcycle rider, with an M2 or M license, or equivalent from another jurisdiction.
      You must bring a properly licensed and insured motorcycle to the lecture night and the riding day. The motorcycle must be in good condition, especially tires, brakes, and suspension.
      You must have proper riding gear, worn at all times during the riding day.
      Your instructor is responsible for your safety and the safety of your fellow students. Continued unsafe behaviour may result in your removal from the course.
 
Fees
The fee is $113 (HST included) for the general public, or $84.75 (HST included) for graduates of our Gearing Up course in the preceding 18 months.
      We are pleased to arrange classes and group discounts for clubs. Call the office to make arrangements.
 
Schedule and Registration
You should contact the office to confirm a spot and to learn of any additional bookings.
      Details of the weeknight of the lecture and location of the lecture night and riding day will be provided by the office when you register.
      Online registration for some ERC courses is available at the Ottawa Safety Council site.

Schedule

The schedule changes throughout the year as we respond to demand. Contact the office to discuss scheduling your course.