IT IS marvellous to see kids on little bikes racing on a track.
Thabiso Phiri is a kids’ bike instructor from Krugersdorp. He teaches the little ones aged from four to 10 years to handle motorcycles at Titan Bikes Riding Academy.
Every year, he takes some of his trainee riders to compete with other kids their age at races.
He has mentored 15 young racers, and is still looking for more to join his group. The schools operates from December to January.
“The first race takes place on 3 February at Swartkop racetrack in Pretoria. We will be ready for it,” he said.
His two children, Oratilwe (10) and Amohelang (5) are also riders.
So far, Oratilwe and the other racers have taken part in 32 races and have done exceptionally well.
The 38-year-old Thabiso believes that before a person can master a skill – such as riding a bike – a person is allowed to make mistakes and learn from.
Titan Bikes is open every Sunday at FNB Stadium in Nasrec, south of Joburg. If they are not at Nasrec, you will find them racing in Brakpan.
“Motorbikes are dangerous. And if you don’t know your basics well enough, you’ll land in trouble. Many older bikers keep making the same mistakes on the road because they were never taught to accept their mistakes and learn from them,” Thabiso said.