New Zealand’s top enduro bike riders are teaming up with Agricademy to deliver farm bike safety workshops across the country from early July to the end of September.
Offroad bike gurus Kylie Dorr, Rachael Archer, Wil Yeoman and James Scott will share their championship-winning skills and techniques with farmers.
Dorr not only rides bikes professionally but owns and operates an artificial reproductive business in Southland that focuses on beef and dairy cattle reproductive health.
Dorr said she would like to give back to the farm community by teaching skills used in racing to keep bike riders safe on farms.
The body positions used in racing, the way pro riders navigate obstacles and maneuver up and down hills, are all skills transferable to the farm riding environment, Dorr said.
“While racing often emphasizes speed, our true talent lies in safe handling and using our skills through controlled speed. It’s about slowing down. We aim to showcase an approach focused on mastery over machinery,” she said.
“Our talent is in safe handling and controlled speed, not just who can go fastest”.
In addition to upskilling the farm community, Agricademy wants to use the initiative to raise funds for the New Zealand enduro team’s trip to the prestigious International Six Day Enduro in Spain this October.
The course follows an online workbook and a simple online quiz ahead of a practical four-hour bike safety workshop.
Participants take part in practical bike skills and drills, and will learn body positioning, how to choose routes, what risks they face and what gear to use.
Alister Shennan, founder of Agricademy – an online and on-farm training business – said according to Worksafe there are on average 10 deaths on farms caused by farm vehicles every year, with many farm injuries involving two-wheeled motorbikes.
Worksafe said the common causes are not riding to the conditions, not paying attention to the terrain, and inexperience.
“The collaboration is a great opportunity for farmers to boost their bike safety and learn from elite athletes. Our champions want to give back to farming and these workshops will share techniques to keep riders safe on the job,” Shennan said.
Dorr will present courses in Otago and Southland. Archer will be teaching farm bike safety in the Waikato, King Country, Manawatū, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki regions.
PWR Yamaha rider Yeoman will be teaching farm bike skills in the Taupō area. Ōpārau sheep and beef farmer James Scott will run courses in the Waikato region.
Course dates
• Waikato July 9
• King Country July 11
• Manawatū July 13
• Bay of Plenty July 15
• Taranaki July 17
• Taupō July 17-25
• Otago and Southland July 9- 25
• Canterbury July 9-25
• Nelson July 9-25
• Auckland July 9-25
The course costs $495 per person.
Disclaimer: Dean Williamson, CEO of AgriHQ, is an Agricademy shareholder.
