Courses drive home safety first for Fort Leonard Wood motorcycle riders

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — As of Monday, spring is officially here, and that means more motorcycles will be on the road. The Army Traffic Safety Training Program has courses scheduled to start next week to make sure riders on post have the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe.

According to Craig Reeves, Army Traffic Safety Program monitor for the Garrison Safety Office, potential motorcycle riders will need to take the Basic Rider Course before going to the Missouri Department of Motor Vehicles to get a motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license.

“The Basic Rider Course is good for a year,” Reeves said. “Military members must have this course in order to drive a motorcycle. They can also take the course off post, but the service member is responsible for paying for the course if they choose to take it off post.”

The Basic Rider Course is two days, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. Lead Instructor Tami Grider said the course is entry level, designed for the novice rider and is completed on provided training motorcycles.

“It helps students develop and practice the correct techniques for maneuvers such as braking, shifting, cornering and swerving. It also reinforces the importance of good risk offset, proper protective gear and riding in less-than-favorable weather,” Grider said.

New riders have the most difficulties with the clutch and shifting aspects of riding, according to Grider.

“They sometimes are under confident and unsure of their abilities on a motorcycle. This usually corrects itself as the course progresses, however some students do not pass the first time and they return to another class,” she said.

Reeves said the next step to being eligible to ride on post is to take the Advanced Rider Course.

“By the end of the first year, they need to have taken and passed the Advanced Rider Course,” he said.

The advanced course lasts one day, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. According to Grider, this course is completed on the rider’s personal motorcycle.

“The Advanced Rider Course introduces more challenging exercises and different riding techniques. They may have become a little overconfident in their abilities, so we refresh the basics and discuss how the weight and engine size of a bigger motorcycle affects the handling and maneuverability,” Grider said.

Reeves said the Advanced Rider Course certification is good for five years.

“After that five years, they will need to take the advanced course again,” Reeves added.

According to Reeves, motorcycle riders need to have approved personal protective equipment, or PPE, to take the classes and ride on the installation. Proper PPE includes a Department of Transportation-approved helmet, gloves, long sleeve shirt or jacket, sturdy over the ankle boots and eye protection.

“If a basic course rider does not have a helmet, the instructor can loan them a helmet to use for that class. Students do not have to purchase a helmet to take the basic rider course,” Reeves said.

In 2020, Missouri removed its universal helmet law and according to Grider, that has caused some confusion for riders on post.

“The biggest issue we have on post is helmets. Missouri has changed its helmet law, but on a military installation, all gear is required for all riders,” Grider said.

To be allowed to drive on post, Reeves said riders will need a copy of their Motorcycle Safety Foundation card, which they get after completing the basic course, a valid license with a motorcycle endorsement and be wearing all approved PPE.

Two things Reeves wants to focus on this year is teaching riders here to be able to tell the difference between a real and fake DOT-certified helmet, and why abrasion sleeves are not a replacement for long sleeve shirts and jackets.

“The abrasion sleeve can easily roll down the arm during an accident, which would take away that level of protection for the rider,” Reeves added.

Reeves said he feels fortunate that Grider is here to instruct the courses.

“Our post is lucky to have a lady like this teaching our riders motorcycle safety,” he said.

Grider has been instructing on Fort Leonard Wood for 13 years, and said the reason she continues to offer courses on post is simple.

“The students I teach are serving this country and protecting me and my family,” Grider said. “So, if I can provide any instruction or knowledge that keeps them safe while riding their motorcycles, then I feel like I have returned the favor by protecting them. That is small in comparison to what they do.”

Reeves said any service member can take the courses and something new starting this year is Department of Defense civilian workers can also take the course, but service member training takes precedence — dependents and contractors are not eligible for the on-post courses.

The basic course is scheduled to take place April 4 and 5, 11 and 12, 18 and 19, and 25 and 26. The advanced course is scheduled for April 6, 13 and 27. The courses take place at Training Area 209A, just south of Forney Airfield.

“Spots fill up fast for this course. If you would like to take this course, please contact Garrison Safety so we can help you get signed up for this training,” Reeves added.

Reeves said more course dates will open soon. To register for the courses, visit https://imc.army.mil/airs/default.aspx. For more information on this program, call the Garrison Safety Office at 573.596.0116, or email craig.e.reeves.civ@army.mil.