Basic Riders Course enhances operator awareness Published March 23, 2011 By Don Peek 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- The 94th Airlift Wing Safety Office sponsored a Basic Riders Course conducted near building 1011 here Mar 15-17. The three-day course consists of one day for classroom work and two days of practical exercises on the motorcycle range. The Basic Rider and the Experienced Rider Courses are held eight times a year and are conducted from March through October and are designed for riders considered new to the sport to those more experienced who may need to polish their riding skills. The DOD and Motorcycle Safety Foundation sanctioned-program is open to military members who are active duty, guard and reserves, and retirees, as well as civil service, and defense contractors. In addition dependents in the ages of 16 years and up are welcome to attend the course; however, retirees and dependents may attend on a space available basis. Training is made available during some unit training assemblies as well. Rider coaches providing the instruction are volunteers who receive no monetary compensation and who are experienced riders themselves and receive recertification training by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation every two years. Those individuals signing up for the program must use their own motorcycles. DOD directives require personnel to attend the Basic Riders and/or Experience Riders Course prior to registering and operating a motorcycle on military installations. Specifically, all Air Force military personnel operating on-or-off Air Force installations must have the certification, and Air Force civilians are required to complete the training prior to riding on Air Force bases. For additional information, contact the 94th Airlift Wing Safety Office at 678-655-4434 or DSN: 625-4434.
