Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, CA -
It is now mandatory for dirt bike and all-terrain vehicle owners to attend a
dirt bike and all-terrain vehicle safety class before operating the vehicle,
according to Marine Corps Order 5100.19F.
The safety classes for dirt bikes and ATVs are much like the
existing Basic Rider Course for motorcycles and have been in existence for some
time now.
The big change with the recently released order is that now
all owners of dirt bikes and ATVs must take the course. Previously, it was only
a strongly suggested course if there was an on-base track for riders.
The Combat
Center is now equipped
with instructors to teach the courses.
"We now have seven dirt bike instructors and six ATV
instructors," Bob Piirainen, manager Traffic Safety Program, Base Safety, said.
"We've also put in the paperwork for a track to be built on base."
The two off-road riders courses are an introduction in how
the off-road vehicles work and how to safely operate them.
"We have guys who are experienced riders who still learn a
lot from the class," Piirainen said. "We want riders to learn to properly ride
their off-road vehicles and be safe."
The dirt bike and ATV courses are also available to
dependents as well. Children at least the age of six can take the course.
Off-road sports are gaining popularity in the West Coast for
the Marine Corps, and there is now more opportunity for mishap, Piirainen said.
"We've had guys go to private off-road track and ride with
professional riders," Piirainen said. "We want to set up more opportunities
like that and give off-roaders a place to ride.
Another change the MCO 5100.19F instituted is a mandatory
safety class for land utility vehicles. The safety office is working on
starting that project soon.
Base Safety is still working on completing the requirements
for being able to offer those classes a swell.
