Making sure the next generation of motorbike and quad bike users are up to scratch with bike safety and knowledge is par for the course in agriculture study at Ashburton College.
The pupils in the year 11 course took to the grounds of the Ashburton Showgrounds last week to learn the ins and outs of motorcycle safety and learn more about their machines.
AgriLearn agriculture tutors Allan Ramsay and Callum Cormack spent two days with the year 11 pupils, taking them through the particulars of using the machines safely.
Mr Ramsay said a large component of the training centred on health and safety and good bike practice.
It was the first thing the pupils learned before getting to use the bikes.
Knowledge included safety gear, centre of gravity and balance, correct footwork, clutch operation, spatial awareness and sensible decision-making.
''We have a heavy emphasis on sensible decisions, especially around health and safety,'' Mr Ramsay said.
The pupils then got to use two quad bikes - a 2WD and a 4WD - and two motorbikes.
Mr Ramsay said the group of 15- and 16-year-olds had different levels of experience - some had none while others had experience from on the farm or with motocross riding.
After the session, the pupils have to keep log books to clock up 10 to 20 hours of out-of-class riding, signed off by a parent or employer to complete the component.
Whether they went into agriculture academy, straight into the workforce or through to university study, knowledge of how to ride safely was needed.
