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The Sun
Friday September 20, 2019
On the Road Marlborough Motoring
DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOUR FAMILY THIS WINTER...
MOTORCYCLE LICENCE TRAINING AND TESTING
LEARN FROM THE BEST! • Learner practical test - $100 • Restricted licence test - $130 • Full licence test - $100 • Refresher rides
Specialists in all aspects of
Aluminium Cooling Components
Check out the dates on our website and give us a call
• Radiators • Oil coolers • Heat exchangers • Inter coolers
44 Main St, Blenheim Phone 578 8176 anytime
Rikstay Auto Marlborough Motorcycle
Riding School Come and see Mark for: • Batteries • Servicing requirements • Budget priced tyres
Ph 03 578 7074 36 Grove Road, Blenheim www.rikstay.co.nz
Advertise your business in our MARLBOROUGH MOTORING Call Gemma or Simon today on 03 577 7868 to advertise in our next issue.
Wednesday
“I don’t really feel like going for a ride today. Said no motorcycle rider ever.”- Anonymous John Laing has been riding motorcycles for most of his life and it was because he wanted others to experience the same joy as he did, that he decided he would teach people to ride. “Back in the 70’s there were a lot of motorcyclists. Things have changed a lot since then but it’s still a cheap form of transport and still popular,” he says. He and wife Jane started their business, Marlborough Motorcycle Riding School in 2011 set about helping people to reach their goals of learning to ride and obtaining their licenses. John carries out the training and assessments while Jane takes care of the paperwork. “We are essentially a licensing agent for the government so records must be spot on. This is where Jane plays an important role and without her I couldn’t do this,” John says. There are stages that a person goes through before becoming licensed. The first is the basic motorcycle handling course before the formal testing process takes place. Following on from that is the testing for the restricted assessment, then the full license. There are set time periods in between each of the tests that a person must wait through, but in the meantime John can still run people through advanced riding courses or refreshers. For those who have never ridden a motorcycle before, John runs courses to bring people’s skills up to the level required to sit assessments. “I have some motorcycles that people can use to learn with, and as part of the training I can do one-on-one training. I strive to make it as easy as possible for people to learn,” John says. Training is normally held at the weekend with basic handling skills held twice a month, and other training as required. “It’s done in a relaxed environment where the aim is to encourage people to have fun because that’s what motorcycle riding is, it’s meant to be enjoyed,” John says. People of all ages sign up with the Marlborough Motorcycle Riding School,
YOUR CAR’S GP on SCOTT ST WE’RE EXPANDING!
And welcoming all AutoCare customers. There’s no need to panic, you can be confident we’ll take good care of your car! • All automotive repairs • Pick up & drop off service • Pre-purchase inspections • Fleet maintenance • Oil Change • Tyres • Batteries • WOFs
TALK TO DR DARREL AND THE TEAM TODAY!
Ph 03 578 4959 | 225 Scott St, Blenheim redwoodservicecentre@xtra.co.nz Monday - Friday: 8am – 5pm
Linnea and Laura had just passed the Basic Handling Skills course and test with John Laing of Marlborough Motorcycle Riding School.
including families. “It’s really neat to see families come through together. I also have a lot of people who decide to get their motorcycle license a little later in life after raising their families and finding they have more free time. “Motorcycle riding is a very social way to travel. When you stop somewhere people like to talk to you and it’s a great reason to get out with groups of people,” John says. John and Jane are also members of the Ulysses Motorcycle Club’s Marlborough branch and Jane is a member of the club’s national committee, so motorcycle riding plays a huge part in their lives. “For me, I want to see people riding well, within the law and their abilities. “Don’t settle for second best - learn to ride with Marlborough Motorcycle Riding School.” Services: Basic Scooter Handling course Testing and issuing Basic Motorcycle Handling Skills Certificate (for learner license) CBTA training and assessment (fast track to Restricted and Full License) Returning Riders refresher courses
Blenheim Toyota
PAINT & PANEL
• Loan car service, free pick
up/drop off
• Approved insurance repairer • Paint & refinishing
specialists
• Fully qualified technicians • Fully equipped workshop • Structural repair centre • Tow salvage service
WE MAKE IT EASY! Ph 0800 024 229 3 Park Terrace, Blenheim panelshop@blenheim.toyota.co.nz www.blenheim.toyota.co.nz