Part of me doesn't want to write this, but they asked for it. In fact, ProRide asked four times to give them a 5-star rating, twice verbally, once in a hand-out, again by email. They asked for not just a rating, but a 5-star rating. People generally do not like being told how to rate, we're the customers. If ProRide wants 5 stars across the board, it's simple: earn the respect of your customers and you'll always get high marks. I felt like in the end they taught me to ride a motorcycle and conveyed a lot of valuable safety informaton, which I appreciate, but in my opinion they need a top to bottom overhaul of their teaching approach.
At ProRide, they established the we-know-everything/you-know-nothing hierarchy in the first 5 minutes. This is of course true, but you don't have to make people feel that way, we're paying you to teach us, we're adults. First, John and Raymond were great, both get high marks, which propped up the star rating. John in particular is an accomplished and knowledgeable teacher, he held the course together. But the owner Matt needs a wakeup call. He rolled by the parking lot session and I don't know if I've ever witnessed such an attempt at look-at-me machismo in my life. When the group reconvened after lunch, we arrived to find a man lying horizontal on his parked bike like a lounge chair, arms behind his head, one leg up, aviators down. Everyone's looking around like WTF? It was cringeworthy. No one knew who this clown was, it was only later someone said that he was the owner! Turns out he is. Now it's really like WTF? This guy thought he was so freakin cool that you could only roll your eyes. He can do that if he wants, but here's the real problem: he said NOTHING to his customers, he ignored them all entirely. Unacceptable! His sidekick Brian is from the same school. When you're practicing riding in the parking lot, Brian actually uses a squirt gun to hit students who do something wrong! This is an outrageous teaching approach from another era, it's demeaning and offensive. They don't even do that at dog training school. You better be 100% damn sure your students are ok with that before you spray them. I wasn't. In fact I was fuming, and this kind of put-you-in-your-place bs was a factor in choosing to submit to Yelp. Instead, flag the student over and talk to them like a pro.
ProRide might want to think about toning down the swagger. Brian, put the water gun away, permanently, and instruct respectfully, don't punish or embarrass your students. Matt, try this: instead of lying on your bike thinking you're at a CK photoshoot, take the time to stand up and warmly welcome your paying customers. Hey, maybe introduce yourself, take off the shades for one minute, look people in the eye, shake some hands and show one ounce of appreciation for the parking lot full of people who had each paid $750 to attend your school! Say thanks, ask us how we're doing. Say have a nice day. He did none of that. Seemed he just rolled by to let everyone know how cool he thought he was, then leave. It didn't go unnoticed. Later at skills testing, still not introduced (!), maybe let go of the ridiculous police-style "license/registration sir!" tone, it's old, and just reinforces the "authoritarian" tone that became the overall tone of the course. Again, we're adults who just want to learn to ride bikes. A few of the students over coffee commented on the posturing, we all agreed this guy needs a slice of humble pie.
Overall, appreciate the learning from the two pros, they provided the substance, disappointed in the cocky attitude of the operation at the top. Might work for some, just not for me.
Wherever you learn, ride safe. read more
