Student Testimonials

What Our Students Have to Say About Us

Bob H. (2011 Experienced Riders Course)

"Hey Bill and VISC,

This is an email to thank you guys for the ERC course and a testimonial as to its worth.

On our recent bike trip to Northern California, Jim, John and I were driving down a 2 lane highway. It was mid-morning, sunny and 80+ degrees. Hardly anyone else was on the road. It was a perfect day to sit back relaxed, feet on the highway pegs and watch the mountains, forest and streams pass by.

Cruising at 100kph I was in the lead with Jim and John spread out in trail. I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye to the left. The movement turned into a black bear coming out of the forested ditch on the left, hell bent on racing across the highway to the right side ditch and forest. I instantaneously new it was a perfect collision course situation. I grabbed the front brake as hard as I could while trying to get my right foot off the highway peg down to the rear brake. In the few seconds of full braking power at full speed I managed to stay up, straight and see the bear pass my front fender by a few feet. I was extremely lucky to survive this situation unhurt.

I believe most of my 'luck' was due to the emergency braking/avoidance practice I got from the ERC course a few months before. In the 40 years of on and off motorcycle ownership and riding I can honestly say I never experienced full emergency braking until the ERC course. I thought emergency braking was dangerous and scary so why would I try it for fun...'leave it for when there is no choice but to brake or die'. My feeling now is, 'I have no fear of emergency braking therefore I didn't die'.

For this I thank VISC and its instructors. I feel the courses offered by VISC should be mandatory if biker safety and survival is a priority.

A note on the bike I ride. It is a Honda ST1300A. I was fully loaded, one up, with camping gear, food and clothing. In all I was 1050 lbs. The bike has proportional braking and ABS. When applying the front brake, the system adds some rear brake as well. This was important in the situation above because my feet were on the highway pegs, away from the rear brake when I squeezed the front brake as hard as I could. I had way more braking power until I could get my right foot onto the rear brake than I would have had with a conventional braking system.

Lastly, ABS. With a full load, the ABS worked perfectly. I don't know if I would have been so lucky to stay up and straight if my tires were locked and smoking. I am now a complete believer in ABS. I will never own a bike without it.

Thanks again and please feel free to use this story in your courses and advertising if you feel it would be useful."

~ Bob Harris

Trina K. (June/July 2010 - Novice & Traffic Motorcycle Course)

"I can say that my experience with VISC was fantastic. I participated in Novice and Traffic in June/July and had a fantastic time. I wanted to learn for decades (literally) but didn't have a safe way to learn. I was thrilled to find out that the Vancouver Island Safety Council is out there.

I swear I've recommended the course to 10 people or more. I even end up mentioning the Experienced Riders Course. It's like I want everyone to experience VISC even if they've ridden for a time already. There's a lot of great stuff in those courses and fantastic people.

The courses were both really good and I was amazed that you guys could take us from "I don't know how to start this thing" to riding the streets for 2 days (and feeling like we could do it safely). The very very cool thing though was that every instructor I had, was patient, encouraging and supportive. And some great senses of humor too =)

The people I shared classes with were also a lot of fun. Again I credit VISC with fostering a warm and friendly learning environment."

Michael P. (March 2008 - Novice & Traffic Motorcycle Course)

"I was impressed with how well organized the course was and how knowledgeable and supportive the instructors were. Being able to use a Safety Council bike for learning and for my testing was very convenient and helpful in getting my licence. I feel completing a traffic course is essential to any motorcyclist and I'll recommend VISC to anyone who rides, or wants to."

Valerie P. (April/May 2010 - Novice & Traffic Motorcycle Course)

"I took the Novice Course at the end of April, waited a couple of weeks and then took the Traffic Course mid May. The instructors have years of knowledge and experience that they shared with us at every turn. They instilled us with confidence and emphasized SAFETY.

When I'm out riding my bike I can often hear their voices in my head. "KNOW the speed limit, GO the speed limit" for example. I'm sure what I learned in the course has saved me many times. I can't imagine how anyone could be on the road without these courses under their belt. It is all things riders MUST know. You MUST KNOW how to make an emergency stop! You MUST KNOW that you must stop in first gear (and know WHY)! You MUST KNOW about pre-trip inspections!

These things you don't learn on your own. You can't go wrong choosing VISC & I highly recommend these courses."

Debra R. (2010 - Novice & Traffic Motorcycle Course)

This course was one of the best things I have ever done in my life, I absolutely loved every minute of it. The instructors were so personable and knowledgeable that they made learning to ride and learning the skills to be safe on the road second nature and they have so much experience and really do care that we learn everything correctly so that we are safe riders and stay alive on the roads. They taught us to ride to the best of our abilities and to enjoy the thrill and excitement of riding a motorcycle. I cant wait until I have as much experience and stories to share as they do.......and experience is the key - you never have enough and I know that every moment on a motorcycle is a learning moment! Fantastic job VISC keep it up and I hope that ALL riders take the course. Thanks so much.

Landowner L. (October 2009 - Novice & Traffic Motorcycle Course)

I can't say enough about the VISC courses. Everyone I come in contact with that talks about wanting to ride I highly recommend VISC to them and specify this is the only way to learn to ride. I took the two courses back to back as recommended by my instructors and was glad of it. They then encouraged me to take the road test right away which I did and still can't believe I have my motorcycle license, a dream come true.

I feel very confident on my bike, a BMW GS 650 and always remember their motto - drive safe be safe. Safety was always stressed as being the first thing to being alive on a bike. As a result of the safety methods I learned, I look around at other riders and can see how my training has taught me to be a better rider than a lot of others out there. I shall continue to recommend these courses to those wanting to ride a bike and even to those who need to brush up on their skills. Thanks very much guys.

Are you a graduate of a VISC course and want to tell people about your experience with us?

Please send us an email and let us know all about it!