New motorcyclists brave spring showers to learn safe riding skills

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Geoff Buteau
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  Eleven aspiring motorcycle riders associated with the military community at and surrounding Hanscom Air Force Base completed a basic motorcycle safety course May 3 and 4 despite less than perfect weather conditions.

The course, operated by the local training company Ironstone Ventures with support from the 66th Air Base Wing Safety Office, and formally recognized by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, gives riders a formal introduction to safe motorcycle handling and operation. In Massachusetts, the course allows riders to forgo the road test portion of the state's Registry of Motor Vehicles motorcycle licensing process.

Each day of training consisted of classroom time in the morning and road training in the afternoon on a controlled course between the Vandenberg Gate and the Hanscom Clinic. The class culminated in a road test that evaluated the riders' skills in four specific categories: tight and slow cornering, swerving, negotiating curves and emergency braking. Riders endured overcast skies with temperatures below 60 degrees and light precipitation for both training days.

Riders came from all levels of motorcycling experience, from brand new riders with learners' permits to experienced riders with licenses from different states and those who had a history of recreational dirt bike riding.

1st Lt. Casey Turner took the class to become licensed for more serious dirt bike riding. "When you're riding with friends and have no formal training, you don't always learn the correct way to ride," he said. "Learning from experienced riders in a training setting gives us [the riders] a good foundation for safe riding in the future." Lieutenant Turner anticipates he will be doing more dirt bike riding when he permanently changes stations to Utah this summer.

Clark Foreid, Staff Agency Security Manager at the 853rd Electronic Systems Group and motorcycle rider since 1997, was the primary instructor for the course. He taught with Scott Slavin, an Army reservist stationed at Fort Devens, who demonstrated all of the maneuvers on the road course.

Known as rider coaches, they gave hints and pointers to each rider to help them learn and develop their skills, since riding is almost all self-taught, said Mr. Foreid. "Each rider picks up the riding skills through trial, error and practice."

Though only two days, this class was no different in terms of the manner the riders picked up and honed their skills. "Each group has its own dynamics," said Mr. Foreid, "however, I am continually amazed at how people who have no riding experience and after two days are able to perform some of the basic skills."

Even though passing the class is the priority, it's the awareness and knowledge gained that's the most important takeaway for students, said Mr. Foreid. "Would you want to operate a dangerous, complicated piece of machinery without some kind of training or instruction? Because that is exactly what a motorcycle is."

Since a safety course is required for military personnel by Air Force Instruction 91-207, the 66 ABW Safety Office hires Ironstone Ventures to conduct the course for the Hanscom community. It would normally cost riders $275 to $350 to take it privately. The course is also offered to military dependents, government civilians and contractors if space is available. The next basic rider courses are June 7 - 8, July 26 - 27, August 9 - 10 and September 6 - 7.