Do you put this in writing?

[CWO Chris Sparkman (BMC)]

Looking to grant a 6 month waiver for members to ride motorcycles until training is available. Has anyone out there done this, and if so, did your command put it in writing. Probably a good idea, maybe someone has pre-formatted documentation. Thanks

CS

Safety and Environmental Manual

10.K.2.h
"In cases where training is not conveniently available by location or time, commanders may elect to grant a member temporary access to a Coast Guard facility, or temporary authorization to a military member to operate a motorcycle, for up to six months, until a member acquires the training. During this waiver period, members shall be required to complete "video based" or
"CD based" motorcycle training that can be obtained by contacting Commandant (CG-113) or the MLC (kse) staffs"

[AMTCM John Long]

Hey Chris,

You could possibly talk to the Safety folks in PACAREA, MLC or HQ and they might have a template to use.

John

[DCCS Brett Wickett]

Chris, I don't know your members that want to ride, and I don't know who looked for classes, but there are many basic rider safety courses within 2 hrs of Depoe Bay. In just a couple minutes I found classes in Oct, Nov, and Dec. As a rider of many motorcycles for 30+ years, I would not grant a waiver on a safety course. There are just to many of them out there. One that complaines about going two hrs to get a class, or having to spend money out of their pocket for a class should not be riding anyway. Just my opinion. I think the rider owes it to themself and we owe it to them to find a class.

Here is a link with several classes within your area. http://teamoregon.orst.edu/to_web/riderTraining.html

Another great place to check on classes are your local motorcycle dealers, they host and sponsor many classes throughout the year. Also check with State drivers schools, they hold classes. I also found several up in the Portland, Troutdale area.

[CWO Chris Sparkman (BMC)]

Brett, I agree with you, and by no means do I question the safety side of it. The members have also found these classes and all of them, including myself are willing to take and pay for the class. We don't have a choice. This is where I have a little grief with the policy. I too have been riding motorcycles for as long as I can remember. I guess the waiver is being used in hopes of somehow, someway getting the class paid for.

The bikes we are riding are SKOOTERS! My commute is 2 miles, on a road that has a speed limit of 35 MPH. That's the max speed of the bike! But it's still a motorcycle and you must still have the training.....venting, venting.

It's just frustrating when we are making this mandatory for riding anywhere, anytime, but we are not willing to pay for the training. We are not paying for personal shooting lessons, defensive driving lessons, boat operator lessons, etc. etc. Ok, I know I'll probably get slammed for those anologies, but it seems like everything has training that goes along with it, and if the Coast Guard mandates it, the training is usually provided. Well everything also has risk that goes along with it, the best we can do is try to mitigate it. All the training in the world will not stop an accident. Accidents happen and will continue to happen.

Not turning my head to policy, just questioning the application of it. I understand the must, shall and will, but I also know the may, should, and could. The waiver, it's a interim thing, an option, to get the member on the road, driving that 2 miles to work instead of firing up the truck and letting it warm up the same amount of time it would take to ride the skooter to work. :D The training will happen at some point, they won't be in little old Depoe Bay forever. Thanks for the feedback.

CS

[FSC Jayare Parker (Ret)]

Do you need a motorcycle endorsement on your licence for these scooters?

There was an episode of American Choppers a while back and since Mikey failed his motorcycle test he couldn't get a licence. Junior, Vinnie & Mikey all got scooters but Mikey's was the smaller version (50 or 60 cc?) so he didn't need a licence to ride his. They later souped up his little scooter to give it more horsepower but it still had it's factory markings of that smaller cc scooter so he didn't have to get his motorcycle license.

So if this is the case would you still need the motorcycle safety course if you don't need an endorsement on your licence? What if you had a gas powered skateboard or a mo-ped? Would you need to take the safety course?

I'm not being a smart azz about this (this time anyhow) just wanted to throw that out there to see what the answer would be on that.

Jayare

Is there a qualified motorcycle safety instructor anywhere in your area that could come and teach the class? Or can you send someone to the instructors class so they can teach others at your unit?

[DCCS Brett Wickett]

You don't need a motorcycle endorsement for 50cc or less. You do however in the eyes of the CG need a safety course.

Chris, I hear ya on the hoping someone will pay for it and believing the CG should if they require it. Although I know the rebuttle will be that they are not requiring you to ride a motorcycle/scooter, therefore they have no obligation to pay for your training.

I just take and pay for my classes for my peace of mind I guess, and because I know the CG aint gonna pay for it. Good luck to ya.

Hey on another note, when was you on the Sedge, I think you were a SN on there when I was a DC2 there. I was there from 92-94.

Take care,
Brett

[CWO Chris Sparkman (BMC)]

Brett...that was me. How you been. Great times on the old Sedge. Sorry to see her go. Looking to get back up North, try one them new fang dangle tenders. :D



CS

[CWO Chris Sparkman (BMC)]

Oh wait till these catch on! Can't wait to see the training requirements for them. No endorsement needed, under 50cc's. Let me tell ya, harder than halibut to ride!

http://www.savontv.com/xxx_ppcadds.asp?name=terrain-surfer&OVRAW=motorized%20skateboard&OVKEY=motorized%20skateboard&OVMTC=standard Motorized Skateboard

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

Sparky, are you saying that you ride a moped?

[CWO Chris Sparkman (BMC)]

Master Chief....that is what I'm saying. Honda Trail bike, 110. High and low altitude adjustment, as well high and low gear level. :D She maxes out at 35 MPH. If I'm heading downhill and with the wind, 40!! 1 gal of gas will last me almost two weeks of commute time.

Now, that's what I'm talking about! It is just a little bit more hipper than a moped, but I aint scared none the less. My past crew made so much fun of me riding it, I got a little complex. Refered to me as Jim Carey in the movie Dumb and Dumber. I quit riding for a while, but I'm over that now. :D

CS

[ETC (FT type) Ed Shank]

I have issues with the motorcycle training requirement. Many states have a policy where you can attain your driver's license without driver education, why is defensive driving, or driver's ed not mandatory? The Coast Guard (and the military in general) just plain don't want people to ride. ISC Portsmouth is starting a motorcycle safety course onboard the base. I don't think it is going to be MSF certified so I don't think it will help with licensing. My question is, how do I get onbase to get the training if I can't get a sticker?

Since a waiver is grantable, I would recommend a memo to each member who has been granted a waiver, and a follow up at the six month mark. Have the member carry it with them, just as they would their completion card for the safety course. Putting it in writing isn't a bad thing, it is in the manual.

Just my .02

[ETC Joe Jester ret]

Almost 30 years ago ... damm it's been that long ...

Those assigned to Simeri Crichi [Sellia Marina] Italy who wanted to ride motorized two wheeled vehicles ... the CO required the motorcycle safety training.

An instructor from NAVSUPACT Naples came down to give the instruction.

The CO did allow those who had those motorized two wheeled vehicles to continue to use them while awaiting the training.

Those two wheeled vehicles were mostly mopeds, a few VESPA's, and fewer motorcycles.

My 180cc Vespa would cruise at 100 kph [63 mph] down SS106 easily.

I agree that writing the waiver is the best interim choice before the class.

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

Hey Sparky, I was envisioning that movie when I asked the question. Guess it's just training for that CWO lobotomy...

[CWO Chris Sparkman (BMC)]

Thanks Master Chief. I can't wait!!

CS

[CWO Jay Greiner (BMC)]

Sparky,
I will be right there with you!

[PACS Steve Carleton]

Ed,

ANY MSF Course will suffice to met the requirement for obtaining the CG Decal.

I took my MSF Course through the local community college, also check the local motorcycle dealerships, they all have lists of classes, and if you are so inclined, it is just a quick jump down to the E-City area, where there is at least 1 per month. And if you are taking the Basic Rider Course, all you are required to bring is gloves, over the ankle boots and safety eyeware.

For what it is worth, there was an AM1 from A/S E-City, who is Instructor Certified and he got into a pretty bad wreck on his bike earlier this year.