Motorcycle safety coaches certified at Qatar base

Photo By Dustin Senger | U.S. Army Spc. Jon Warren, from Kenosha, Wis, teaches Al Hydeman, Motorcycle Safety Foundation managing director, the MSF Honda Safe Motorcyclist Awareness and Recognition Trainer (SMARTrainer) controls during a role-playing class at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, Sept. 29. Nine experienced riders were certified as MSF SMARTrainer coaches, each committed to combating motorcycle fatalities in the military community by teaching safe riding practices in a deployed environment.  

CAMP AS SALIYAH, QATAR

09.29.2009

Story by Dustin Senger 

Area Support Group - Qatar

CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar — Al Hydeman, Motorcycle Safety Foundation managing director, certified U.S. service members and contractors as MSF Honda Safe Motorcyclist Awareness and Recognition Trainer coaches at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, Sept. 29. The nine experienced riders are the only MSF-certified coaches in Southwest Asia, each committed to combating motorcycle fatalities in the military community by teaching safe riding practices in a deployed environment.

Hydeman supplied four days of concentrated instruction at Camp As Sayliyah, a hefty support and sustainment hub for the Central Command area of operations. Six months earlier, he certified the first three MSF SMARTrainer coaches in the Middle East while delivering the device to the Qatar base. According to Hydeman, the Honda systems are effective at teaching safe motorcycle riding habits, providing an experienced rider is capable of properly guiding the user experience and interpreting results.

Founded in 1973, the MSF encourages safer and more enjoyable motorcycle riding by ensuring access to education and training for current and prospective riders. The MSF is an internationally recognized organization that provides leadership to the motorcycle safety community through its expertise, tools and partnerships.

Hydeman remained flexible with individual mission requirements while offering three blocks of instruction at the Qatar base: a motorcycling classroom discussion and exam; a SMARTrainer hardware and software operation overview; and an applied coaching techniques session. Everyone had to pass all three stages to become an MSF-certified SMARTrainer coach.

SMARTrainer systems integrate a computer, monitor and printer with a noise suppression headset and realistic motorcycle controls. The handlebars are equipped with all the features of an actual motorcycle, to include a unique Vehicle Identification Number. Hydeman said having a good speaker system is a must. A loud speaker capable of reproducing low bass frequencies helps riders feel changes in the simulated engine's transmission, vibrations similar to real-world riding.

Powerful software provides four possible driving courses: practice, city, suburban and touring. Each scenario is further broken down into several different routes, as well as options to navigate though daylight, nighttime or foggy conditions. Coaches can pick situations that students are most likely to encounter.

MSF instruction uses the "SEE" strategy — search, evaluate, execute — which centers on staying aware of hazards, planning escape routes and implementing safe maneuvers.

"All crashes are caused by an interaction of contributing factors — it's never one event," said Hydeman, while reviewing a completed SMARTrainer course. "If we zoom out the playback, we can see all the challenges that made an upcoming accident likely in this scenario: obscured vision from the roadside wall, a car quickly pulling into traffic ... and one, two, three, four cars approaching from the opposing lane."

"Instead of lecturing, he taught us how to use learner-centered coaching principles," said U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. David Shaw, from Tulsa, Okla. "He taught us to teach riders to make their own decisions and never force concepts on them. We don't want to discourage people, but rather build them up while remaining firm enough to get the message across."

"I'm going to practice as much as I can," said Shaw, who has ridden sport bikes for around ten years. "The controls are second nature to me, but I need to get to know different maps and hazards better to best help my students. I want to become a subject matter expert on the SMARTrainer."

According to Hydeman, each coach receives an MSF SMARTrainer identification number. They are also subscribed to monthly MSF news via e-mail, which contains information meant for coaches and state motorcycle safety administrators. Coaches must continue to teach safe riding practices with the Honda system or their certification may be terminated by MSF officials.

"Remember, you're not important here — the rider is the most important," said Hydeman to a group that just completed their final certification class. "You're here to discover rider weaknesses and where there is room for them to improve. You've been given a handful of knowledge; now you need to master it. You can save lives with the SMARTrainer. You'll never know it, but I guarantee you will."

• Date Taken: 09.29.2009
• Date Posted: 09.29.2009 13:40
• Story ID: 39442
• Location: CAMP AS SALIYAH, QA