Yellowknife (July 28/04) - Harley Davidson motorcycles roaring down Franklin Avenue may be an objectionable sight to some, but they'll just have to get used to it. Yellowknife's population of motorcyclists is only going to increase.

Forty Yellowknifers recently participated in an introductory motorcycle course put on by instructors from the Alberta Safety Council. The course, offered in the parking lot of the Yellowknife Community Arena, culminated with a driving exam which certified the rookie bikers for their NWT motorcycle license.

Popping wheelies was not on the curriculum.

"I always tell my students, 'don't go stupid in a no stupid zone'," said senior instructor Ties Van Nidek.

Participants from all walks of life signed up for the course for various reasons.

"One of my dreams is to ride through the Rockies," said Harry Goetz, who had to sell his bikes when he immigrated to Canada from Germany in 1990.

He realizes Yellowknife is not always the best place for biking.

"Here it's better to have a snowmobile, you get more riding time in," Goetz said.

The motorcycles for the course were provided by the instructors.

Much of the cost of bringing the two instructors' motorcycles from Edmonton was covered by the NWT Riders Association. The money was raised by raffling off a Harley Davidson motorcycle.

The course makes it easier for new riders to get their motorcycle license -- provided they already have a valid class-5 NWT drivers license.

The road test is offered immediately after the course around the same track.

"They're learning all the fundamentals," said NWT senior driver examiner Bob Powless. "They're really going to be up on their game."

Powless says the number of people from the course passing their road test is "higher than average."

The territorial government will take a "20/20 hindsight" look at the effectiveness of the course before deciding to license motorcyclists in the same fashion next year, says Powless.

The course is approved by the Canada Safety Council and licensing tests following the course is practised in many provinces, says Powless.