ARE YOU TIRED OF TRAVELLING BY MOTORBIKE AS A "BACKPACK"?

When we say the word 'driving school' we immediately associate it with the word 'car'.

However, there are driving schools that not only teach you how to drive a car, but also how to drive a bus, a truck and a motorcycle.

We went to the Horazny Driving School in Prague to talk to motorcycle instructor Jakub Hofmann, who has been teaching at the school since 2008.

The future driving instructor started riding motorcycles at the age of 15, became a category A, B and C instructor in 2006 and has been sharing his experience and teaching future motorcyclists for more than 15 years.

Text and photo: Boris Kogut.

Jakub, can you tell me how the practical part of the motorcycle training is organised?

Before 2016, the law required that all 13 training practice rides be carried out with the student on one motorcycle equipped with two handlebars. In fact, in the past, a pupil at a driving school never rode alone during training, and even during the test, the examiner was obliged to sit on the motorcycle with the pupil.

In order to ensure that motorcyclists leave the driving school better prepared, the current law allows us to fully train motorcyclists in such a way that the student rides all the training rides alone and the instructor rides behind him on a separate motorcycle. Personally, at the Horazny Driving School in Prague, I teach in such a way that we ride together on one motorcycle for about half of the training rides, and in the second half of the lessons, when I see that the student already knows how to ride a motorcycle safely, he rides independently, and I follow him on the second motorcycle.

Does riding a motorcycle require a certain level of physical fitness from the student?

In terms of physical fitness when learning to ride a motorcycle, it is not important to be physically strong, but it is important that the motorcycle is not too big for the student and that the student is able to keep his/her balance when riding, i.e. has good coordination when riding. I always ask at the beginning of the lesson if the student knows how to ride a bike. There are four categories of motorcycle licence: AM (from 15 years old), A1 (from 16 years old), A2 (from 18 years old), A (from 24 years old).

Do you train all year round?

The motorcycle training season starts in April and ends in October. Therefore, during these months I personally devote myself to the pupils who want to obtain a motorcycle licence, and the rest of the time I teach car driving. The motorcycle exams start in May and last until October.

Do you ride with a student in all weathers?

If the student is already familiar with the motorcycle well and has the desire, we will ride in the rain as well. At the driving school we recommend wearing a waterproof jacket. At the driving school we can also offer to hire a helmet and gloves.

The law requires you to wear a helmet and eye protection when riding a motorcycle.

However, every student should have their own shoes suitable for riding a motorcycle, sturdy leather shoes. Even if it is 30 degrees outside, the student must dress appropriately: sturdy shoes, sturdy trousers or jeans and a long-sleeved jacket.

It is ideal if the student has already purchased special motorcycle clothing. Special motorbike clothing also has reflective elements that increase the rider's safety when riding in the dark.

Jakub, for whom is a motorcycle suitable as a means of transport?

90% of people who ride motorcycles want to ride motorcycles. I think a motorcycle is good for travelling and is more of a hobby than a means of transport. Sometimes students say that they don't want to travel on a motorcycle 'like a backpack', but they want to learn to ride a motorcycle themselves. Also, if people want to learn to ride a motorcycle, it is an advantage if they already know how to drive a car and have a category B driving licence.

Are there any advantages for motorcyclists?

For example, it is easier to park a motorcycle. It can be parked for free in designated blue parking zones.

It is important to note that in 2023, motorcyclists were allowed to ride in a designated bus and taxi lane. Now additional signs have been installed to allow motorcyclists to use this lane as well.

What is your advice to motorcyclists for safe driving, the most important thing?

You have to be careful if you're riding a motorcycle 'out of season', when car drivers don't expect to see you, for example in winter. And secondly, when riding a motorcycle, you should try not to stay too long in the so-called 'dead corner' with a car in the other lane. In other words, try not to drive parallel to other cars in the next lane: either slow down or accelerate, especially if there is a junction on the motorway.