For the second year, Tropical Battery, through its subsidiary Tropical Battery Yamaha, hosted a motorcycle riding workshop at the Palisadoes Go-Kart Track in Kingston, recently. The two-day event was to ensure the safe use of Yamaha bikes on the island's roads.

Neil Crum-Ewing, managing director of Tropical Battery, said that the annual event was a requirement for all Yamaha dealers worldwide, to empower its riders on how to safely use the products.

The executive was pleased with the turnout.

"We did much better this year. We are building momentum," he said.

Yamaha certified trainer, Anthony Walker, thought that such a project eliminated possible life-threatening mistakes that beginners may make.

"Beginners like to look at controls ... they should be focusing in front of them," he said.

"Looking for the gear shift ... can cause accidents."

Walker stressed that making corners was an essential aspect that all riders should master.

"We teach our students to do all shifting and braking before the corner, not in the middle of it," he said.

Even the police were in on the action. Superintendent Claude Reynolds, head of the Police Traffic Division, addressed the group in on the proper riding gear as well as choosing the correct motorcycle.

"When sitting astride the motorcycle, both feet must be planted squarely on the ground. No tipping!" he said.

— Mario James