Marines improve motorcycle skills, increase safety

Photo By Cpl. Unique B. Roberts | Marine motorcycle riders participate in the Advanced Rider Track Day at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., April 13, 2014. During the course, Marines of all ranks and ages learned to hone their motorcycle skills by practicing maneuvers such as steering, throttle control and lead angle control. The purpose of ARTD is to empower Marines to be both confident and safe while operating a motorcycle.  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT , NC, UNITED STATES

04.13.2014

Story by Lance Cpl. Unique B. Roberts 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

CHERRY POINT, N.C. - As the sun starts to shine and the cold weather starts to drift away, motorcycle riders gear up and start putting rubber to the pavement.

The want to ride and have fun are at an all-time high during the hot months, and the Marine Corps aims to lower the number of motorcycle related incidents through awareness and repetition by getting Marines engaged in interactive riding classes.

Motorcycle riders from, three North Carolina Marine Corps installations, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Marine Corps Air Station New River and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, brought bikes of all makes and models to Cherry Point’s taxiway F to participate in the Advanced Rider Track Day April 13.

During the course, advanced riders refreshed their basic motorcycle controls and were taught more advanced techniques such as steering, braking, throttle control and lean angle control. The techniques taught during the course are some of the most used maneuvers during every day riding.

“The purpose of the course is to increase the awareness of their motorcycle’s limits and their personal limits, ultimately increasing their confidence and safety,” said Ron Farris, the Marine Corps Installations East traffic safety manager.

While attending the course, Marines are actively learning both in a classroom setting and on their bikes.

“There is classroom instruction and skills observation during the on-range practical application portion, which includes setting a proper entry speed, not to slow or fast, proper application of throttle control in a turn, and not applying throttle concurrent with lean angle,” said Farris.

Although ARTD is not a mandatory class, Marines who are considering buying a motorcycle of any type must take basic courses on motorcycle safety, awareness and become a part of their units motorcycle mentorship program.

“All Marines must take the Basic Rider Course (BRC) as well as either the Basic Rider Course 2, for non-sport bike riders, or the Advanced Riders Course,” said Michael P. Granger, the safety and standardization directorate with Cherry Point. “The BRC2 or ARC should be taken within 120 days of completing the BRC. Marines should consider signing up for these courses as early as possible to avoid waiting lists.”

During ARTD, riders go through a structured syllabus that increases the safety level during the course and allows the riders to perform maneuvers.

“Each time I come to these courses I learn something new,” said Sgt. Andrew P. Rodriguez, the career planner with Headquarters and Service Battery, 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion. “I have improved a lot since coming to these courses, and I recommend any motorcycle rider to take part in them.”

For more information regarding Advanced Rider Track Day, contact Ron Farris at [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 04.13.2014
• Date Posted: 04.17.2014 09:15
• Story ID: 126400
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT , NC, US