Spouses Help Develop Motorcycle Safety Course

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville Safety Department hosted educators and trainers from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Sept. 21–24, as they tested the curriculum for their Street Rider Course.

The one-day class is aimed at novice bikers who have completed the MSF Basic Rider Course – yet lack significant street experience (less than 150 miles) on their motorcycles.

Dr. Sherry Williams, MSF director of quality assurance and research, said the new class involves assessing the students' riding skills on the driving range, interactive classroom training to expand rider perceptions and peripheral vision, and driving on public streets under the tutelage of their rider coach.

"We're learning a lot from our research at NAS Jacksonville. We came here with what we think might work and then make adjustments after we try things out with actual novice riders," said Williams. "The class will be open to any type of motorcycle owner – from Ninjas to Hogs. The feedback we've received so far shows that novice riders are very enthusiastic about having a professional rider coach guide them to a higher level of operational competence."

Williams noted that the street rider course is designed to create a more confident and safety conscious motorcyclist.

For on-the-street training, they form a pod of up to three students led by one rider coach, or a pod of four students positioned between leading and following rider coaches.

MSF Rider Coach Dave Hepburn agreed that the course is a confidence-builder that allows novice riders to enhance their motorcycle handling skills.

"For on-the-street training, we pair one rider coach with up to three students. Each student wears earphones in their helmet so they can hear their rider coach point out potential speed and traffic hazards. We begin with a route through a low-traffic environment. Depending on how well they perform, we drive additional routes on base that progressively add more curves, intersections and parking lots," said Hepburn.

Novice rider Elizabeth Erler recently completed the MSF Basic Rider Course at NAS Jacksonville.

"My husband, a lieutenant at VP-30, is a long-time motorcycle rider who persuaded me to get my own bike about two months ago. Since then, I've ridden my Honda Shadow about half a dozen times in an abandoned neighborhood. This street rider course is just right for me in order to get more comfortable with my riding ability and to stay safe on the highway. Coach Dave (Hepburn) has helped me with my slow-speed turns and how to keep my eyes up, scanning the road for potential traffic hazards," she said.

Novice rider Carla Barkley has been riding for about four months and is already on her second motorcycle.

"I started out on a Harley Sportster, which is pretty fast and nimble. But after completing my basic rider course, I drove my husband's Harley Heritage Softail Classic – and I just had to trade up. Now I'm riding a Softail Deluxe and loving it," said Barkley.

"Helping the MSF people develop this course is very interesting. It's a big confidence builder being out here with a rider coach. I found his feedback on the slow-speed, parking lot type of maneuvers to be really helpful. And on the street, I liked that he validated what we were doing right as we drove along," she added.

Hepburn was pleased with the first street route. "These two ladies demonstrated excellent control, balance and lane position in the midst of real traffic with construction detours, blind driveways and pedestrians. Now we're taking off on route two that progressively adds more challenges to improve their driving skills," said Hepburn.

Williams said it would take a few months to analyze her data and observations from the street rider course test session.

"This will be the first MSF rider course that ventures beyond the driving range and onto public streets. So far, each participant has been grateful to have a professional rider coach guiding them along the way."

MSF is a not-for-profit organization that is internationally recognized for its comprehensive, research-based, rider education courses that promote lifelong learning for motorcyclists and continuous professional development for MSF-certified rider coaches.