WE ARE SHIFTING MOTORCYCLE
EXPERIENCED INSTRUCTOR
Ryan Cuddy is the Owner and Senior Instructor and has over a decade and a half of experience teaching in different motorcycle training schools in Calgary
PRIVATE LESSONS
One-on-one instruction that are modified to each individual to create a complete tailored curriculum so you can learn at your pace
BEST SAFETY MEASURES
Get an opportunity to learn safely in a controlled environment with small class sizes and a personal touch.
LEARN TO RIDE – (LTR) $595 + G.S.T
This course is designed for ANYONE wanting to learn how to ride a motorcycle for the first time, those who have a bit of experience, and those who have ridden before but perhaps it has been a few years or more since their last ride. The goal of this program is to provide you with a solid and safe foundation in riding skills to help you obtain your motorcycle license.
About Shifting Motorcycle School
Fun, Effective Motorcycle Training
in Calgary, AB
Ryan Cuddy is the licensed Senior Instructor and has over 14 years of experience teaching in different motorcycle training schools in Calgary. He has over 40 years of experience of riding different style motorcycles in over 46 countries (between him and his other instructor they have over 95 years of riding experience and knowledge). He opened Shifting motorcycle school to give students an opportunity to learn safely in a controlled environment with small class sizes and with a personal touch.
Cuddy has had a passion for teaching and racing his entire life. At a very young age growing up in Switzerland he migrated to anything that had an engine. Riding motorcycles for pleasure and for work. He worked as a medical motorcycle courier; having to deal with urgent deliveries while navigating traffic, narrow roads and local riding laws. All very instrumental in the development of his own safe riding skills and an important part of what he brings to the classes.
His enthusiasm for motor sports didn’t stop at motorcycles. When he was still living in Europe, he would regularly participate in local gymkhanas, hill climbs in the Swiss Alps and European road rallies. When he moved to Canada, he attended SAIT and completed the automotive service technology program and worked in various automotive shops. He later went to Germany and was trained at the BMW GmbH headquarter in Munich and received his qualifications as a licenced BMW high performance driving instructor.
Cuddy also worked as a local instructor for defensive driving skills and slippery conditions vehicle handling; teaching oilfield workers how to safely drive their vehicles in all adverse conditions.  In 2013 he returned to racing and after building his rally car he starting racing in the Canadian rally championship and never looked back.
As you can see, his passion for motor sports and teaching has remained one of his top priorities in his life. He continues to share his knowledge and help new riders and drivers learn safe skills to better their confidence and experience.
FAQ
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What size group do you teach?A maximum of 5 students per instructor ratio will be taught.
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Are there any penalties if I have to cancel my course?Yes, please read our terms and conditions below: Cancellation policies: Once the course has begun, no refunds or credits will be given. All courses paid for must be taken in the same year (season) they were booked for. Cancellation Fees: At least 10 days before the start of your course: Penalty: $120 At least 10 days before your one-on-one private: Penalty: $70 10 days or less prior to your course start: Penalty: No refunds/credits Course start date is the date of your first day riding Rescheduling Fees: At least 10 days before your course start date: Penalty: $65 Less than 10 days to your course start date: Penalty: 50% of Course Fee Once the course has begun: Penalty: No refunds/credits To see or full list of Terms and Conditions click here.
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How do I get my Class 6 Licence?Write your knowledge test at a registry Take out Learn to Ride course Do your Road test at a registry
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Do I need to bring my own motorcycle?No, you do not need a motorcycle taking our course will enable you to use Shifting Motorcycle School’s motorcycles. However, if you have one and you would like to use your own, to learn to ride on it, that is not a problem.
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Can I use your motorcycle to take my road permit exam?Yes, if you take our course you can book a road test prep course and use our motorcycle, helmet, jacket, and gloves as well as having an instructor giving you one on one instructions on your road ride for 1 hr prior to your road test. The instructor will then bring you to McKnight registry (for your previously booked road test) wait for you while you perform your road test and upgrade your license and then ride back to our lot. See the road test prep course for more information on the Programs page.
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Do I need any riding experience in order to take the courses?No. We do not require any previous riding experience, however, if you have experience either riding a motorcycle (being a passenger on one), know how to shift a manual transmission, and have previously ridden a bicycle, these are all great assets to have, but are not necessary. We focus on teaching students to ride without any prior knowledge.
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Do you provide advance riding courses?We so offer a skills advancement course. This course is specifically designed for Shifting Motorcycle School students and will provide more advanced riding knowledge and techniques for riders who have graduated from our LTR program and/or riders who would like to learn more advanced riding skills. This course is provided during weekday evenings either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm on a demand basis only. A minimum of 2 students and a maximum of 3 per course. You will be using your own motorcycle for this course, as it's all about setting up your controls for you and developing your skills on your own motorcycle, please email us for any inquiries.
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Do I need to bring my own gear to take the course?Even though it is recommended that every student has their own personal ride-by gear to wear for the courses; we understand that purchasing riding gear can be costly, especially when starting out in the sport. For this reason, Shifting Motorcycle School may provide you with helmets, jackets and gloves to use during our courses. We have a limited number and sizes of helmets and jackets, so please make us aware of your needs in gear when you register for the course, and we will do our very best to accommodate you.
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What kind of footwear do I need?It is strongly recommended to have proper riding shoes/boots for your own safety. Should you not want to purchase proper riding shoes/boots, the bare minimum attire would be sturdy shoes or boots that cover your ankles. No sandals, or open-toed shoes will be tolerated. Avoid steel-toed boots, as this will affect your feel with your left foot for the gear shifter.
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Where do you teach the classroom sessions?We are free-flowing our classroom sessions to online sessions. To help accommodate your busy work schedule, you will be provided with a link to our classroom session which will take approximately 3 hrs to complete. You will be asked questions during this session that you will need to answer to complete your learning. We will also be providing you with an online live Q&A session with an instructor on Thursday evenings for an hour (so you will have to complete your classroom session before Thursday evening). This is designed to assist you in your learning, should you have any questions from the classroom session that were unanswered.
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Where does the on-lot training take place?On our lot at 1925-18th Avenue NE, in Calgary, Alberta. Our container is situated on the NE corner of the lot. This will be our meeting point.
Ryan Cuddy Senior Instructor/Owner
My name is Alexa Young
Ryan has a passionate for motorcycles starting at a very young age, growing up in Switzerland he was on a motorcycle very young and fell in love with the lifestyle. He would ride 11 months of the year, has raced in different categories in Europe and wanted to transfer his knowledge and experience of riding and surviving in more than 46 countries. He has over a decade and a half of teaching new and advanced riders, is knowledgeable and down to earth. He has a very patient and calm manner in delivering his information and loves what he does.
Danard Willisko, Instructor
My name is Alexa Young
Danard has taught motorcycle riding for twenty riding seasons with beginners to advanced level riders. He is patient,knowledgeable and cares about your success and safety as a rider. As a child his mom rode him to school on a motorcycle. Danard has taught at racing schools and has a wealth of experience to share from on road, pavement track,ice riding and off-road riding. He has spent many years getting safe and proficient at cornering and braking
