SMART Program
"Be the best rider you can be"
- Mick Doohan, 500ccMoto GP World Champion and SMART Ambassador
As Patron of the SMART program, Mick wants to help motorcycle riders be the best they can be. He believes rider education and ongoing training are the keys to avoiding crashes.
What is SMART
SMART is a road safety initiative that offers professional instruction for licensed motorcycle riders to reduce their chances of crashing when faced with challenging road conditions.
The SMART initiative's overall objective is to reduce the incident of motorcycle crashes in the city and to promote safe motorcycle travel by improving rider skills and knowledge of local and hinterland roads.
The best of the best – 500cc Moto GP World Champion motorcyclist Mick Doohan - has teamed up with Council to help boost motorcycle safety.
Background
Queensland Transport and Queensland Police Service research and statistics have shown that some riders involved in crashes on Gold Coast roads may not have had the necessary skills to adequately control their motorcycles.
There is also evidence through industry feedback, that ownership of motorcycles and scooters is increasing on the Gold Coast due to their affordability and economical running costs, making this a more desirable mode of transport.
With Council subsidy, one day’s tuition with HART (a nationally recognised motorcycle training organisation) costs $45.
Top-notch professionals will train riders in 'real world' skills on selected public roads around the city and hinterland. SMART groups will consist of up to 24 motorcyclists and four trainers.
The 2010 Program offers various levels and new training routes.
For further information about the SMART program, contact Council's Road Safety Unit on (07) 5667 3624.
Who can benefit from SMART?
Licensed riders, of different levels of experience and skill, who use Gold Coast roads can benefit from the Program including novice and return riders.
What levels of training does SMART offer?
SMART offers four levels of 'road skills' based training:
- Transition level requiring participants to have had at least six months of regular riding on an RE licence.
- Level 1 requiring participants to have had at least one year of regular riding on an RE or R licence.
- Level 2 requiring participant to have had at least five years regular riding on an RE or R licence.
- Level 2a and 2b Master Classes requiring participants to have had at least five years regular riding on an RE or R licence.
Course features
- full day instructed ride
- personalised, small group training
- hazard perception training
- risk identification
- motorcycle care
- protective clothing
- motorcycle set up: brakes, clutch, chain, lights, cables, mirrors, tyres, suspension
- cornering
- braking
- low speed handling skills
- eye direction
- road conditions
- lane positioning
- rider fatigue
- and much more
SMART scoops second road safety award
Gold Coast City Council has taken out a second award for its motorcycle rider training program SMART in this year’s Queensland Road Safety Awards.
It was the second time Council’s SMART program had won the award in the Local Government Category.
The program was established to help reduce motorcycle crashes after research indicated that some riders involved in accidents may not have had the necessary skills to control their bikes.
The goal is to help riders be the best they can be through tuition on things such as road conditions, hazard perception training, risk identification and overall ‘road craft’.
From March 2010, Council is running full day training for only $45.
Dates
- 21 August - level 2
- 22 August - level 1
- 18 September - Transition
- 19 September - Level 2a
- 25 September - Level 2
- 26 September - Level 2a
Contact us
To make a booking, or for further program details, please contact Council's Road Safety Unit on (07) 5667 3624 or email 
kburton@goldcoast.qld.gov.au.
Media enquiries
Please contact Council's Corporate Communication Branch on (07) 5581 6976.
