ENG TOKYO MOTOR SHOW BLOG

Hello. I am Yoshizawa from the Tokyo Motor Show Office.

At the 40ｔｈ　Tokyo Motor Show 2007, there will be many events for families to participate in.

At the 39th Tokyo Motor Show 2005, Kids Motorcycle Sports School was particularly popular with the children. The school will offer lessons at this year's show too. We went to the Nippon Motorcycle Association (NMCA) which organizes the school, and interviewed the staff there.

Hello.
At our Kids Motorcycle Sports School, elementary school children actually ride motorcycles in the open air.
Since 1998, we have offered lessons to the public at 304 times (as of May 17, 2007). Up until today, 7,184 pairs of children and parents, 14,367 people in total, have enjoyed our lessons. Many of the children have returned to take our lessons again. In FY 2007, we are planning to offer lessons at thirty locations around Japan.

The theme of our school is “Challenge, Discovery, and Excitement.” Children enjoy riding real motorcycles, even when their bikes fall down and they get dirty.

At our school, parents always accompany their children, forming pairs together. Lessons start with the instructors teaching parents. Then, parents teach what they learned to their children, giving step-by-step instructions. In this way, our school also enhances communication and the bonds between children and parents.

(Children and parents learning together in harmony.)

Our school usually starts in the morning, finishing at around three o'clock in the afternoon. Participants have a full day of motorcycle education, starting from orientation and including a lecture with basic information about motorcycle riding. Then, they continue to ride the motorcycle course in pairs with parents and in groups with friends. Children ride 50 cc motorcycles, which are like scooters without clutches. Most children, if they can ride bicycles without training wheels, can ride the motorcycles by themselves after instruction.

(Let's go together, following the instructor!)

At first, some children hesitate to ride motorcycles. As soon as they are able to ride and discover what fun it is, they become very enthusiastic. They even continue riding if it suddenly starts to rain. By lunchtime, children and their parents will be talking very enthusiastically about motorcycling.

Our lessons at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show 2007, however, are a short version so that as many people as possible can join. This short version takes approximately 30 minutes in total with only children riding motorcycles. Please also note that our lessons at the Tokyo Motor Show will only be offered on Saturdays and Sundays for a total of six days during the motor show.

(Look for this sign!)

At the 39th Tokyo Motor Show 2005, tickets for our morning sessions ran out approximately 30 minutes after the motor show opened in the morning. People had to start queuing before noon in order to participate in the afternoon sessions. At this year's motor show, we will have seven pairs per group, instead of six pairs at the previous Tokyo Motor Show, so that as many children as possible can participate and enjoy riding with us. There will be six groups scheduled in each session.

Children have to be in the third grade of elementary school or older and 130 cm or taller to participate. They also have to be able to ride bicycles without training wheels. Since the program at the show is a short and intensified, children are required to be strong enough to operate motorcycles wearing a helmet and other protective gear. Their toes and both heels must be able to touch the ground when sitting on the motorcycles. At our usual lessons, all elementary school students, from first to sixth grade, are accepted regardless of height, as long as they can ride bicycles without training wheels.

Please note that a parent and child pair is a prerequisite for participating in the program. If two siblings want to join it, then both parents must come.

Seeing other children riding motorcycles is exciting and will certainly encourage you. The sight proves even elementary school kids can ride motorcycles and it is a fun. More and more girls are coming to our school now too. Some girls are even more enthusiastic than many of the boys. We hope many of you discover the joy of riding motorcycles at our lessons at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Participants must wear long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, and sneakers. We offer helmets, gloves, and other protective gear. When riding motorcycles, exposing bare skin is dangerous and can result in injuries.

Since our lessons at the Tokyo Motor Show are short, they may not be enough. The class finishes as soon as riders are able to ride the motorcycles by themselves.If you want to ride more, we recommend you come to our one-day lessons held in many places throughout Japan.
At the NMCA, we introduce many motorcycle schools and events held throughout the year. Please visit our website and enjoy riding motorcycles.

(Look, I can ride a motorcycle by myself!)

Thank you, the NMCA.
This year's Kids Motorcycle Sports School will be even more exciting than before, with more participants accepted. Enjoy riding real motorcycles! With an engine, it is a far cry from pedaling a bicycle. Feel the difference by yourself. The school may excite your interest in motorcycles, and some day when you grow up, you may enjoy touring on motorcycles with your family.