Evergreen Safety Council

Slipping into new digs on the Eastside of Puget Sound

With so much action in Seattle's Cascade district, better known today as South Lake Union, it was only a matter of time when Evergreen Safety Council (ESC) would get ejected from their long time downtown location. That recently came in the form of a notice to vacate the premises by the property owner, Pemco Insurance.

Photo: Motorcycle and Sidecar / Trike training manager Monty "Mel" Lish is all smiles about the new ESC facility

ESC found a new home tucked away of the main drag in Kirkland's Totem Lake neighborhood. Change can often have a way of making things better and this one provided ESC with a larger space and a lot large enough to teach rider training classes on. ESC is one of the largest motorcycle training contractors in the state with ranges in West Seattle (2), Renton (2), Kirkland and now at their Totem Lake facility. They also teach S/TEP courses via a mobile unit around the state. In 2012 ESC trained 4,500 students.

But that wasn't the only expansion. ESC now has three large classrooms to teach rider training in, as well as a myriad of other safety classes outside the motorcycle field.

ESC's motorcycle training courses include all MSF administered novice, intermediate and advanced riders courses. In addition, they are one of the only training companies to teach the Sidecar/Trike Education Program (S/TEP). Pacific Northwest Motorcycle Safety also teaches the later course via a licensing agreement through ESC which owns the curriculum originally authored by David Hough.

 A student who enrolls in ESC's S/TEP course can experience driving a sidecar, trike and even a Can Am Spyder as all these machines are available for students to use in the class courtesy of ESC. Students may bring their own three-wheeler as well.

Photo: S/TEP training on the Renton range.

You want to ride a scooter? No problem. ESC, like many other contractors, now carry scooters in their fleet and from time to time schedule scooter only classes.

Are you a lady looking for a ladies only class? ESC offers them as well. See the schedule posted on their website for dates and times.

If you're a club you can contact ESC and arrange a custom class just for your group members.

If you're taking your training on ESC's new Totem Lake digs, you'll be glad to know there is a small kitchen available if you plan to pack a lunch. If you want to dine out mid-day during class, they are just minutes away from the motorcycle themed, Italian fared Cafe Veloce and many other eateries in the Totem Lake area.

Along with a new physical location, ESC has also upgraded their website making it easier than ever to navigate class schedule and training information. Individuals inquiring about becoming an instructor will find all the details here. Check it all out at http://evergreenmotorcycletraining.org/ or www.esc.org

SR!/Spring 2013