Team Lead Instructor Trisha Ng pushes 6-year old Niam Sharda, without the engine on, to ensure he knows how to stop the bike, during a Honda Red Riders training session in Markham, Ontario on Saturday, August 1, 2015 where children ages 6-12 are taught how to ride a dirt bike.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Stephanie Somerville knows that motorcycles and kids sounds like a bad combination.
"People question me: 'Are you sure you want to do that?'" says the mother of two young children.
That is enrolling sons Ryan, 10, and Connor, 8, in Honda's off-road training course for kids at its headquarters in Markham, Ont. The Honda Junior Red Riders (JRR) program is a half-day training course targeted at children aged 6 to 12.
"We just thought it would be something, different something fun to do. And I think it will give them some confidence, too."
There are 11 children here eagerly waiting to hop on the little CFR50, CFR80 and CFR125 bikes lined up on the grassy field. At the urging of the four instructors, they gather in a small trailer to put on helmets, boots, gloves and other protective clothing. Safety is the first thing taught here.
"I wanted to get them to try it but I didn't want to just throw them on a bike," says Raj Sharma. He's brought two of his sons – Aryan, 9, and Siddharth, 8, along with his nephews Argun, 8, and Niam, 6. "If they like it, they keep going."
Honda offers its JRR throughout the summer at its Markham facility up to September. It also runs 10 more programs, with various partners, across Canada.
"The program started in 2004," says Kimberly Moore, Honda's press and PR co-ordinator, who is also in charge of organizing JRR. "It started off very differently, it began as a full-day. But we pulled it back to a half day because it was a little too much for the kids physically. Now, when they come off at the end, they're exhausted. The parents say they sleep all the way home."
Right now, this group is nothing but a ball of energy. They emerge proudly from the trailer in full gear, some stumbling like newborn fawns in the clunky boots. After some pats on the helmets by parents, the children are assembled on the lawn in a semicircle; the group stands silently and attentive while two of the teen- and twentysomething instructors go over the basic controls of a small motorcycle.
"If I tried to teach them anything, they wouldn't listen," says Somerville. "But they'll listen to these instructors, they're closer to their age, they're more cool."
That's the point, says Moore. "We tend to look for instructors who are outgoing, young and energetic. Both male and female is important; the moms like to have the girls there, and the younger kids relate well to the girls."
And then, in a rush of excitement, the action begins. The bikes are wheeled out in a line in front of the kids. This is the first step; they're pushed across what amounts to about a half football field, one by one, to get acquainted with using the brake and balancing, and then back again. But the next step is for real: the engines are kicked on and the air fills with the gentle putt-putt-putt from the exhaust and, again, one by one, they travel the same line, this time on their own. Some show trepidation, some need some help slowing down, but all make it across in triumph.
JRR recently hosted a group of autistic children with the volunteer-based group, Project Autism. "Some of our kids can have challenges in group settings," says Anne Mason, head of the York region branch. "But there is no judgment, everyone is accepting.
"We had six children there, and Honda had one-to-one support, and I was impressed with the instructors. They were incredible with our kids. Because they were so accepting, the kids were able to have fun and be themselves."
As the day progresses, the lessons get more complicated, such as riding in a wide circle and then doing slaloms. But the kids also become more competent and confident. During frequent breaks for water and rest, they talk animatedly with each other and their parents about the experience.
"Just this four-hour course gives them so much overall confidence," says Moore. "And, it's something they can go back and tell their friends about. It's bragging rights."
The day ends with the engines shutting down and high fives all around. As the kids filter out of the trailer after doffing the gear, they still buzz with excitement about the experience. "When they started pushing me, I was terrified," says Golta Aghvami, 12. "But when we started riding in a circle, it was cool."
"I think this is great," says Sharma. "I'm glad they have the instruction, you can see them getting better and better, they're gradually stepping through everything.
"This is something that will stay with them after they leave."
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