Knoxville Rider Education Program

Carroll and Pat Bales

 Where We Stand

Our goal is to provide a safe, friendly and fun environment that gives participants the opportunity to share our passion for riding. We strive to make each class:

• Safe
• Fun
• Informative 
  

We truly believe -

The more you know, the better it gets!

Our Humble Beginnings

Knoxville Rider Education Program was established in September of 1989 by Carroll and Pat Bales. Until that time, courses existed in Jackson, Nashville, Murfreesboro, and Johnson City, Tennessee.

Carroll and Pat received their certifications as MSF Instructors in May and October, respectively, of 1989, in Johnson City. They taught three courses in 1989: an ERC (Experienced Rider Course) in September and two MRC/RSS (Motorcycle RiderCourse/Riding and Street Skills) in September and October. These courses were taught over two weekends, on successive Fridays and Saturdays. There was a total of six training bikes available for the first courses, and they were trailered to the site each time.

In 1988, the Tennessee State Legislature established a state-funded Motorcycle Rider Education Program. Initially, however, few funds were available for individual course sites.

Knoxville Rider Education Program instructors worked with and encouraged motorcycle clubs, groups, and dealers to establish and support course sites in their areas. KREP instructors laid out temporary ranges and taught both the ERC and the MRC/RSS for any group that requested them. Instructors taught courses in Morristown, Jackson, Mt. Juliet, Columbia and Cleveland.

KREP also furnished insurance for those sites just getting started. They were responsible for many of the policy procedures and promotion innovations which continue to make the Tennesse's Motorcycle Reider Education Programs efficient and successful.

KREP instructors are active motorcyclists who are trained and certified by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and the State of Tennessee to teach MSF Rider Courses. Almost all are business professionals who work in the East Tennessee area. They hone their skills on the street and with professional training, and continually practice and update their teaching techniques. The success of KREP is due to their efforts.

In 1991, Carroll received certification as a Chief Instructor by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and subsequently helped train many instructors for Tennessee.

Many changes and much progress have taken place in Knoxville Rider Education since that small beginning in the fall of 1989. We usually maintain a staff of around forty active instructors. KREP is now operating four course sites: Karns High School and Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville, Walters State Community College in Morristown, and McMinn County High School in Athens. We have permanent storage facilities at all sites to house the more that 50 motorcycles we maintain for training.

In 2002 a new curriculum was introduced for each course. The new courses feature more riding time and less time in the classroom. They are learner centered, which allows the participant to learn at his or her own pace. In addition, instructors are now RiderCoaches, and they take a more passive role in the training process. We were thrilled to have been able to help thousands of riders enjoy the world of motorcycles in the past, and we look forward to working with many more.