Marines Hit the Road for Motorcycle Safety

Photo By Sgt. Brianna Gaudi | Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, await the command to take off on their morning ride during a Bike Safety Course on Camp Lejeune Sept. 29, 2016 to improve riding skills and better educate Marines about the dangers of the roadways. The MEU’s Motorcycle Mentorship Program and Marine Corps Installation East Traffic Safety Program inspected the way Marines ride to identify any bad practices students have acquired and provide tips and tricks to reduce their risk.  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

09.29.2016

Story by Cpl. Brianna Gaudi 

24th Marine Expeditionary Unit

It was an ordinary weekend for Cpl. Zachary Farmer, a Marine with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, until he received the text message from his mother. It was a picture of the local newspaper from his small town, describing that his friend had passed away in a tragic motorcycle accident.
“My first thought was about his parents and how devastated they must be,” said Farmer. “It almost makes you feel angry that they weren’t more careful and doing what they were supposed to be doing.”
The two had spent time together in the delayed entry program, before enlisting into the Marine Corps and splitting paths to their individual occupational specialties.
“In honor of his death, I want to pledge to myself to do whatever I can to better my safety and the safety of the riders I know,” Farmer said.
Fortunately, the Marine Corps puts emphasis on the priority of motorcycle safety among its units. Whether a bike has training wheels or a four-stroke internal combustion engine, safety should always be top priority. No matter how prepared and equipped Marines are for a ride, there will always be a present threat. It’s the duty of Marines to take the proper precautions before riding.
Farmer recently attended a Safety Course held on Camp Lejeune. The course was to improve riding skills and better educate Marines about the dangers of the roadways.
“I know what it’s like to lose a friend,” said Farmer. “I would hate for anyone to have to go through the same thing.”
The MEU Chaplain, Lt. Cmdr. Carl Stamper, the president of the Motorcycle Mentorship Program reached out to the Marine Corps Installation East Traffic Safety Manager, Miles Bowman, and together they were able to schedule the class and get word out to its participants.
“There’s a lot of classes out there I’ve been to about the technicality and operation of a motorcycle, but with this one we really focus on safety,” said Stamper. “It talks about the reality of dealing with other vehicles, and dangerous road circumstances.”
Fairly new, this is the fourth iteration of the one day course which is held once a month. Free and available through police departments out in town, the MCIE’s course consists of several volunteers and is a very self-sufficient program with their members donating several hours of their time including weekends.
“Our overall mission is to help people become aware of the hazards on the road way, and teach them what they can do to mitigate that,” said Miles Bowman, the Marine Corps Installation East Traffic Safety Manager. “We actually go out and expose them to the hazards and give them an idea on how to protect themselves.”
Students who attend the class receive instructional periods in the classroom before being assessed on their riding skills. After these classes, the Marines and their assessors break into groups and ride out into town. By inspecting the way the Marines ride, assessors are able to identify any bad practices students have acquired and provide tips and tricks to reduce their risk.
Stamper explains that first time riders often have unrealistic expectations and don’t understand the complexity and power motorcycles provide.
“These young Marines go out and buy a bike that they operate on very limited information and with little experience, expecting to perform at the level they see people performing on television.”
The course covers many topics, but highlights the importance of paying close attention to surroundings, and making riders visible to other drivers on the road.
“The class takes you back to the basics and provides you with other people’s point of views and understandings of road safety,” said Farmer “I hope that out of this class I’m able to change any bad habits I have, and think twice when making decisions to ensure my safety and the safety of the drivers around me.
Instilling confidence in the Marines, Bowman and the instructors have high hopes for students, and with such success in the course, are optimistic about the iterations to come.
“If there is one thing I hope sticks in the minds of the Marines when they leave this class, it’s that they can make a difference,” said Bowman. “By changing just a few of their behaviors they can really save lives.”

• Date Taken: 09.29.2016
• Date Posted: 11.04.2016 16:10
• Story ID: 213871
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US