Photo by Stephen J. Donkers
Humber manager of the motorcycle rider training program Andy Hertel said there are many reasons for a new fleet of bikes.
By Stephen J. Donkers
Humber College’s Transportation Training Centre is updating it’s fleet of motorcycles with 102 new bikes coming this spring.
“The current fleet of motorcycles have been around for a number of years now,” said Rick Mikula, program liaison officer for the Transportation Training Centre. “They do age, even when you maintain them well, so it’s time to replace them which will help reduce maintenance costs.”
The new fleet of motorcycles are Honda CBR 125R models replacing 134 Yamaha Virago 250 bikes, but the Training Centre would not reveal the overall cost.
The bikes are expected to arrive in the beginning of March.
Andy Hertel, manager of the motorcycle rider training program, said the new fleet of bikes is needed.
“We keep training bikes in service for 5 or 6 operating years,” Hertel said. “The Canadian Safety Council mandates that we must keep the motorcycles current and up to date.”
Hertel said the reduction in motorcycles is part of a cost saving measure that will see more use per motorcycle.
“We want to be more efficient with the bikes we have and able to use,” he said. “We are going find ways to maximize the new fleet, and it also helps save capital costs and up front purchases of the bikes.”
Truck and motorcycle instructor Doug Barker said location for training was also a factor in the reduction.
“The construction of the parking lots on the north campus restricted the number of motorcycles,” he said.
“It’s the amount of students we were able to accommodate every weekend.”
Motorcycle training with students begins in April.
Last spring, motorcycle training was moved off the north campus due to construction on parking lots 6, 7, 8 and 9.
Training takes place at Queen’s Plate parking lot at Woodbine Racetrack.