CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. -- 1st Sgt. Robert Driver believes preparing motorcycle riders for all types of hazardous road conditions is the ultimate way of preventing fatalities.
Driver is the 205th Infantry Brigade’s lead instructor when it comes to motorcycle training and mentorship and teaching the Basic Rider Course.
After attending a grueling 15-day course held at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Ky., Driver became one of 250 worldwide certified RiderCoaches of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
This certification allows Driver to train and certify other RiderCoaches throughout the U.S. Army as well as the entire nation. The course began with the first of three phases, each candidate working hard to earn a certification and avoid being sent home.
Out of 16 candidates who began the course, Driver was one of 11 to enter an elite class of Motorcycle Safety Foundation trainers.
“I can’t wait to do RiderCoach prep and train quality RiderCoaches so we can conduct more classes here on Atterbury or anywhere,” said Driver.
When Driver is not training the trainer, he can be found every third Wednesday teaching mandatory motorcycle mentorship classes to Soldiers of the 205th Infantry Brigade. During the class, Driver and assistant instructors discuss the importance of personal protective equipment as well as maintaining a heightened sense of awareness of other motorists sharing the roadways.
“This class actually helps me regulate myself. Every time I go riding I think about this class,” said Staff Sgt. Levi D. Gangler, 2-337th Training Support Battalion, 205th Infantry Brigade. “Riding in itself is fun, there’s no need to push the limit.”
Coupled with classroom training, students execute a mentorship ride with Driver and other experienced motorcyclists. Riding through the rural area helps prepare riders for the number of times they will change gears to safely maneuver through the city. This 85-mile course has three scheduled stops, where riders have the opportunity to rest and discuss the route.
“Seasoned riders and mentors offer suggestions on how to negotiate upcoming hazards and possible ‘hot spots’ or intersections with multiple risks,” said Driver.
Driver sets up courses throughout the surrounding area to introduce the riders to distinctive terrain.
“We try to focus on the different areas, and sometimes we spend a little bit more time in the downtown area where you are dealing with potholes and merging traffic and intersections,” explained Driver.
“There are hot spots everywhere such as pedestrians and bicyclists.”
Along with training the trainer, and teaching the Motorcycle Mentorship Ride, Driver also teaches the Basic Rider Course.
The BRC is a three-day basic rider course consisting of a 50-question multiple choice knowledge test, which students must pass with a 100% score, and 17 riding exercises. The BRC is an endorsement on a motorcyclist’s license that is needed to ride on any military installation, and there is no cost to Soldiers or civilians if taken through Driver.
Driver’s main audience consists of Soldiers stationed at Camp Atterbury and civilians who work on the installation.
“I am taking the class because it is required to drive on post,” said Benjamin Bell, who is looking forward to finally getting a chance to ride his motorcycle to work.
Bell, a civilian working at Camp Atterbury, liked the convenience of the class, which is located in the vehicle registration building outside of the Camp Atterbury gate.
In conjunction with this course, Driver plans to use the Safe Motorcyclist Awareness & Recognition Trainer as part of the BRC for the less experienced riders.
The SMARTrainer combines a personal computer, an advanced safety-training program and a video monitor, plus a handlebar, seat, footrests and all the standard controls found on a real motorcycle.
The objective of the on-road simulation is to safely negotiate a series of routes while developing effective road hazard awareness.
“I will use the SMARTrainer before the student takes the BRC, this way the student will learn about street strategy, and it will set them up for success,” said Driver.
The ultimate goal of the motorcycle mentorship class, the BRC, and training trainers is to prevent rider fatalities.
“I want to do anything that I can do to give the Soldiers a fighting chance on the road.”
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