Motorcycle mentorship program puts leadership in motion

Published July 18, 2013
By Tech. Sgt. Parker Gyokeres
621st Contingency Response Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Some of the most valuable lessons can't be found in a book or a classroom. Military motorcyclists and Department of Defense safety officials took this maxim to heart and developed a mentorship ride program to pass on experience and provide responsible guidance to fellow riders.

Before being allowed to drive on post, every base rider is required to attend a motorcycle safety foundation course. But additional instruction is needed to maintain safety and proficiency, explains Thomas Steward, lead motorcycle mentorship instructor. The mentorship rides have been found to be so effective, they are a mandatory part of the DoD's motorcycle safety program.

"Riding is a skill that must be practiced, and there are a lot of techniques to keep a rider safe that aren't taught in the beginner's course," said Steward. "The motorcycle mentorship program pairs experienced riders, mentors and coaches with less experienced cyclists to help them build skills, confidence and esprit de corps amongst the entire joint base community."

The joint base traffic safety program hosts three rides a season, explained Steward.

"Our spring ride is known as a shakedown ride," he said. "We plan a non-challenging route that takes us to two motorcycle dealerships so riders can get service inspections and check out the latest personal protective equipment. Along the way our mentors and coaches can check each rider's skill level and provide on-the-spot guidance."

As the season progresses, the confidence level and skills of the riders increases, so the second ride is a bit more challenging.

"Our mid-season ride introduces a more technical route and a greater distance," he added. "This year, almost a hundred riders traveled to Orange County Choppers in Newburgh, N.Y., to visit the showroom and get a tour of the workshop. In addition to the visit, a majority of sport bike accidents occur in curves, so we have selected a few points in our trip that will provide an opportunity to build skills and confidence."

Finally, the season-ending mentorship ride teaches advanced techniques that could possibly save a rider's life in an emergency.

"We teach skills on a challenging road that aren't taught in a basic course," said Steward. "Our coaches and mentors guide each other through advanced techniques such as applying balanced braking in a curve and how to perform a safe emergency stop. The entire point of the end-of-year technical ride is to teach skills a rider can use for the rest of his life.

"I believe mentorship rides are the most important tool in the continuing education of every rider," he added. "We have riders come up to us at briefings and say 'thank for teaching me skills that I apply every day now.'"