Whidbey Sailors Learn Motorcycle Basics

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nardel Gervacio, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Whidbey Island

OAK HARBOR, Wash. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island learned about motorcycle safety through a Basic Rider Course (BRC) offered by the Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island Safety Office, May 4-5.

The basic rider course is a two-day class consisting of classroom and outdoor hands-on training. It prepares the rider to operate a motorcycle safely with emphasis on the special skills and mental attitude necessary for dealing with traffic.

The course is aimed at individuals with little or no riding experience.

Shawn Olsen is a Navy and Marine Corps traffic safety program instructor assigned to the Safety Office aboard NAS Whidbey Island.

"This is the basic rider course, which is an introduction to motorcycling," said Olsen. "In class we cover personal protection gear, basic risk awareness, risk acceptance and management."

The classroom lecture also discusses different types of motorcycles, their controls and how they operate, developing riding strategies for riding in traffic, and dealing with critical situations.

"I always wanted to get a bike," said Lt. j.g. Brad Brinkley, Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 2. "I've never ridden one before, and I thought that this would be a good taste of it."

While on the riding course, students can develop basic skills for straight line riding, turning, shifting and stopping. Range skill exercises progress to effective cornering, swerving and emergency braking techniques.

"The course is great," said Brinkley. "I'm definitely learning. At first it was a little sketchy. Now I'm getting it pretty good. Anyone who rides or is thinking about riding a motorcycle should take this course."

Not all of the students were new to motorcycling.

"I took this course to get my skills back up to speed and to get back into riding," said Chief Master-at-Arms (PJ) Franklin D. Halterman of Mount Vernon, Wash., and assigned to NAS Whidbey Island base security. "I've been riding for five years, but it's been awhile since I've been on a bike. Many Sailors need this course to get their license for the state. For me this course is to refresh and improve my skills and stay safe."

Service members who wish to bring their motorcycles onto military bases are required to complete a DOD-approved motorcycle safety course and have a valid motorcycle endorsement on their driver's license.

The class is licensed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), which is a non-profit organization that promotes lifelong-learning for motorcyclists all over the country.

"This course is very important for new riders to have; it's the basic fundamentals," said Olsen. "I have riders with 20-30 years riding experience say they've picked up great tips and ways to operate a motorcycle safely."

The Navy continues to support motorcycle safety worldwide to ensure that its members are trained in safe and proper riding techniques, and have resources available for advanced and refresher training.