Ride With Confidence: Professional Motorcycle Training in Victoria for Every Rider
From beginners to experienced motorcyclists, Urban Rider helps you master essential skills, stay safe on the road, and share the thrill of riding.
Until recently, Victoria’s aspiring riders had only one option for comprehensive motorcycle training that included the MSA test (Motorcycle Skills Assessment) as part of the course. Now, there’s an alternative! Urban Rider delivers an ICBC-approved curriculum right here in Victoria, with the MSA (skills test) included as part of our certified MSTP training course. Experience a fresh choice for local motorcycle education and get rolling with confidence!
Urban Rider Motorcycle School was started by John and Tais in Vancouver in 2020. They moved to Vancouver Island in 2024. Prior to starting Urban Rider, John was the lead instructor at Vancouver’s largest and most popular riding school from 2015 to 2020. Tais, recently retired from Saanich Police, has a lifetime love of motorcycles and a desire to share her passion.
At Urban Rider, we are dedicated to the task of empowering riders of all levels with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to enjoy the freedom of the open road. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced rider looking to improve your skills, our ICBC certified instructors will guide you every step of the way.
Our Novice “Learn-to-Ride” course includes 8 hours of theory covering the challenges and strategies of safe riding, particularly in urban environments, such as the busy streets of Victoria. These theory classes run on two consecutive weekday evenings in our Langford classroom at Barnes H-D (VIEW MAP).
After completing your theory classes, you’ll move on to practical riding in a large, closed training area conveniently located in the Saanich core near downtown Victoria (VIEW MAP). Our training lot at 4001 Seymour Place gives you ample space to safely practice both low and medium-speed maneuvers.
After completing your theory and practical training—and successfully passing your MSA—you’ll be licensed to ride independently, without a supervisor. From there, choose from several options for street training and road test preparation to keep building your confidence and skills.
Motorcycles, helmets, gloves and jackets provided for all aspects of training.
Why Choose Urban Rider?
- Expert (and consistent) Instruction
Our team of expert instructors brings decades of riding experience and professional training to the classroom and the training circuit. At Urban Rider, all courses are run by Urban Rider’s lead instructor (John) and supported by a small team of top guns, guaranteeing consistent quality of instruction throughout your lessons. - Variety of Motorcycles
Take your novice motorcycle training course with us and you’ll have the opportunity to ride cruisers, like the Honda Rebel 300, sports bikes, such as the Honda CBR125 and 300, dual sports including the Honda CRF250L, Kawasaki KLX250S, Suzuki DR200 and Yamaha’s XT250. For smaller riders, concerned about the weight and height of the bigger bikes, we also offer the ultra compact and super fun Honda Groms. - Comprehensive Curriculum
We offer Beginner Courses, Refresher Sessions, and Advanced Rider Clinics tailored to your current abilities and riding goals. Our progressive training ensures you build a solid foundation before moving on to more complex maneuvers. Our curriculum has been reviewed and approved by ICBC. - Community-Focused
Urban Rider is more than just a school; we’re a community of motorcycle enthusiasts. We host group rides, special events, and ongoing workshops, so you can continue growing your skills and meeting fellow riders long after you’ve completed your course. - Location, Location, Location
Situated in the heart of Victoria, our training lot is centrally located, and our road practice sessions let you experience real-world riding conditions along beautiful urban and rural routes. - Skip the MST at ICBC.
With Urban Rider Motorcycle School, you can take your MSA (Motorcycle Skills Assessment) with your instructor at the end of the riding course and skip the test at ICBC. After passing your MSA at Urban Rider, you will be licensed to ride on your own, and can practice on your own for your final test (the class 6/8 ICBC motorcycle road test).
ICBC Motorcycle Licensing Steps
There are 3 steps to getting your motorcycle license in BC. The first step is to complete your knowledge test at any ICBC location and obtain your learner’s license.
1. Getting your class 6 motorcycle license starts with booking your knowledge test.
Before booking your knowledge test, read the Learn to Ride Smart guide, offered in print version from any ICBC office (ICBC Saanich | Downtown Victoria) or download the free PDF version here.
2. Next is the motorcycle skills test.
3. Final Step is the road test.
Be sure to get your motorcycle learners license (class 6 or 8) prior to taking the course.
The second step is passing a motorcycle skills test, known as the MST (if taken at ICBC) or the MSA (if taken at an authorized school, such as Urban Rider). Both tests are identical and remove two learner’s license restrictions: the need for a supervisor and the 60 km/h limit. Once passed, you can ride solo and at highway speeds.
The MST is free at ICBC’s Dunford Avenue salvage yard, while the MSA requires completing a minimum 18-hour ICBC-certified course at a school such as Urban Rider. Our program exceeds the minimum practical hours, offering two full days of weekend training (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) at our large training lot at 4001 Seymour Place, near Blanshard and Cloverdale.
The third test, is the ICBC road test. ICBC road tests are conducted at the Mackenzie ICBC testing center in Saanich. Our lead instructor, John, has taught over 2,500 riders, ranging from absolute beginners, to expert riders. John specializes in teaching the skills and habits required for safe riding and for passing the ICBC motorcycle road test. Take your training with Urban Rider and we will help you secure a quick road test, using one of the road test appointments reserved for students who have completed our novice motorcycle course.
For the road test lessons, we follow you behind you, giving you instructions through a radio (just like ICBC does on the actual road test), and the entire lesson is recorded on video, so that you can continue to learn and practice on your own after the lesson is over.
Our Courses (An Overview)
- Novice Rider Course
Ideal for those with little to no motorcycle experience. Learn the basics of balance, clutch/throttle control, turning, and stopping. Includes both classroom instruction and hands-on practice. - Refresher & Intermediate Courses
Our Supplemental Skills Training 6 hour, 1 day course is perfect for our recent graduates, as well as licensed riders who want to rebuild confidence after time away from riding or improve critical skills like slow-speed handling, cornering, and emergency braking. - Advanced Rider Clinics
In 2017, after attending a 40 hour civilian version of the official police motorcycle training course in Oregon, John returned to ProRide in Vancouver and developed what became a very popular advanced motorcycle training course that operated 4 times per year. Designed for confident riders aiming to level up, this 2 day course includes 12 hours of mixed theory and skills training in a single weekend. John has continued to adapt and improve this course and is
Traffic Classes
Complete our Novice Motorcycle Training Course and you are eligible to join in a 6 hour introduction to traffic safety on a motorcycle (additional cost). This course is NOT a theory course. It is conducted on the streets, starting off in a quiet neighbourhood, practicing safe riding habits, and progressing throughout the day onto city streets.
International Riders
If you have motorcycle riding experience from another country and need to get licensed in BC, you may not need a full course. We offer focused training for the Motorcycle Skills Test (MST), conducted by ICBC-certified Motorcycle Skills Assessment Officers. Our MST package includes 1.5 hours of on-course training, plus delivery of a suitable motorcycle to the ICBC test site in Langford.
For those with off-road or international riding experience who want to challenge the MST on their own—rather than join a novice “Learn-to-Ride” course—we’ll guide you through the test requirements on a measured MST course. You’ll receive personalized coaching from an ICBC-certified instructor to help you master the skills needed to pass.
**NOTE: MST Training is on hold at the moment due to high demand for our novice training courses.
Road Test Training
Looking ahead to your final road test? We also offer guidance and training for the ICBC Motorcycle Road Test to ensure you’re fully prepared for all on-road scenarios.
Ready to Ride?
Embrace the freedom of the open road with confidence and skill. Contact Us today to find out which course is right for you or to book your spot in our next training session. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to become a more advanced rider, we’re here to help you achieve your riding goals.
Contact Us:
Email: islandridervictoria@gmail.com
Phone: (604)725-6499
WhatsApp: 6047256499
IslandRider Motorcycle Training is a motorcycle training program on Vancouver Island by Urban Rider Motorcycle School Ltd. Urban Rider is a motorcycle driver training school licensed through ICBC with a corporate address of 2840 Sooke Lake Rd. Langford, BC V9B 4R3.
