Jenn DeHaan | Fort Knox News
FORT KNOX, Ky. – As the weather begins to warm up, the Fort Knox Safety Office is reminding the community about the importance of taking advantage of installation motorcycle courses.
Each month, there are multiple opportunities for motorcycle riders to participate in the different training courses. Safety specialist Vincent Bacon said enrolling in the courses goes beyond the Army’s requirement for Soldiers who ride.
“We’re coming up on motorcycle riding season,” said Bacon. “We’ve got young Soldiers that may have purchased a new motorcycle or have never been on one before. The more training you can get, the safer you’ll be.”
All Soldiers are required to take rider courses if they want to operate a motorcycle on post. However, Bacon said the courses are designed to offer all riders – both new and experienced – the chance to expand their skills.
“They gain a better understanding of how the motorcycle operates and develop more confidence riding,” said Bacon. “The more a rider goes through the training, the more comfortable they’ll be riding.”
According to Bacon, there are two types of motorcycle trainings: the Basic Rider Course and the Advanced Rider Course. He said they’re designed to increase riding knowledge with a multifaceted approach.
“The Basic Rider Course is a two-day course with about five hours of class time and 10 hours of riding,” said Bacon. “It includes a written test and a riding portion to test them out on their skills.”
In addition to requiring Soldiers to pass motorcycle rider courses, Bacon explained the Army also has specific gear regulations for riding on post that goes for any rider – military or civilian.
“Any time you ride on Fort Knox you’ve got to have a helmet, gloves and long sleeves,” said Bacon. “We do provide a helmet and gloves for the basic course, but if they want to bring their own, they can.”
Once a Soldier completes the Basic Rider Course, Bacon said there is still another aspect of meeting the Army requirement.
“Within one year of taking the basic course, Soldiers need to come back and take the Advanced Rider Course,” said Bacon. “Then they’ll need to take it again every five years to remain current.”
Bacon urged Soldiers to be diligent about enrolling for the advanced course because at times, the second portion of the requirement is missed.
“A lot of times Soldiers come over and take the basic course, and then forget about coming back to take the advanced one,” said Bacon. “It’s required for them to take the Advanced Rider Course within that first year.”
Although the installation will provide a motorcycle to those enrolled in the basic course, Bacon said advanced course riders will need to bring their own.
Bacon also encouraged taking the advanced course for other important reasons.
“We suggest that if you get a new motorcycle, you come back and take the Advanced Rider Course again to get you training on your new one,” said Bacon. “Also, if you change locations geographically like with a [Permanent Change of Station], we recommend you take the course then as well.”
Recently, there was a major change to course availability when a request was made to open the trainings up to more than just Soldiers.
“[Department of Defense] civilians had to pay out of pocket for these courses before,” said Bacon. “However, the installation safety director made a recommendation to make an exception to policy for civilians to take them.”
The policy change approval went into effect this fall. However, it not only applied to Fort Knox, but went on to become an Army-wide exception. Now, as long as there is available space in a course, any civilian employee motorcycle rider is welcome to attend at no cost to them.
Several course dates are currently open, with some already filling up. Bacon said even with easy registration online, though, not all slots are always taken.
“There’s a minimum number of people I need to sign up for each class,” said Bacon. “If we don’t meet that, I’m not allowed to run the course and I have to cancel it. If you see a slot open or you’ve signed up and know another rider who could benefit, jump on it.”
Bacon said he hopes all riders will see the benefits of training on their equipment and choose to enroll in the courses this year. There’s one bottom line when it comes to riders bettering themselves:
“The more skills and safety training you can get is going to help you, your fellow riders and other drivers.”
| Date Taken: | 03.02.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 03.02.2023 13:38 |
| Story ID: | 439581 |
| Location: | FORT KNOX, KY, US |
| Web Views: | 98 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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