Fort Belvoir, Va. (May 22, 2014) - The Fort Belvoir Safety Office offers Motorcycle Safety Foundation training classes multiple times a month for active-duty servicemembers only.
Basic Rider courses, Experienced Rider courses and military sport bike courses are offered, as are refresher courses, for servicemembers deployed more than 180 days.
"The classes started in March," said Pat Borel, Fort Belvoir Safety Office, safety specialist. "We have classes two to three times a month."
It is important that riders at Fort Belvoir register for the courses because motorcycle fatalities are up 58 percent from this time in 2013, according to Chris McCormick, Fort Belvoir Safety Office, director.
"It's the things that are preventable that's causing these fatalities," said McCormick. "Riders will learn the proper speed to ride their bikes and the proper equipment to wear, (during) our courses."
The Basic Rider course is a two-day course that goes from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the former 23rd Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Site. The course is not a licensing course and does not substitute for the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles road test.
"The basic course focuses on basic skills like getting on and off the bike," said Borel. "The instructors also show the new riders how to properly set up the kickstand to keep the bike from falling while parked."
Classroom instruction is a part of the Basic Rider course, but not the Experienced Rider course.
Rider's motorcycles must have a fully charged battery and full tank of gas upon arriving at class.
Students using their own bikes must bring personal protective equipment including Department of Transportation approved helmet (with face shield, glasses/sunglasses, or goggles), long fingered gloves; hard-soled shoes covering the ankles, long-sleeved shirt or jacket and long trousers. Gloves and helmets will be provided to students using loaner bikes, according to www.belvoir.army.mil/safety/mc.asp.
Documents students are required to have to participate in the training include a valid state registration, proof of liability insurance covering the student and the motorcycle, and full motorcycle endorsement on a state license.
Students using their own bikes must pass a basic safety inspection from the instructor. Students must inform the safety office five days prior to the start of the course if they are cancelling. Classes do run in the rain so riders need to bring inclement weather gear to class, in case it is needed.
In the event of a cancellation due to severe weather, students will be notified via phone and email by the Safety Office.
Servicemembers can register online at www.belvoir.army.mil/safety/mc.asp, but must have a valid Common Access Card to complete the registration.
"Registration cannot be done from their home computers anymore," said Borel. "They must be done from a computer with Common Access Card capabilities."
For additional information on the motorcycle safety courses, contact the Belvoir Safety Office at (703) 704-0649.
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