By Pfc. Sullivan Laramie
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- The growl of motorcycle engines
ripped through the morning air and pistons fired as riders with helmets pulled
into the parking lot of a barracks here, Feb. 15.
The Marines and sailors assembled at the barracks to meet with Staff Sgt. Shannon J. Zigan, the new motorcycle safety representative for 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, to discuss future events and their shared love of motorcycles.
The battalion's command wanted to encourage motorcyclists to ride together more often so they can apply safe practices into their riding.
“Next month on the 22nd, I’m planning on possibly doing a car and bike show,” Zigan explained to the Marines before him. “It’s going to be a spring safety event, but it’s not just going to be motorcycle related. I might get some of the motorcycle-police riders out in town and some of the other local companies to come and give you guys some ideas of what to do.”
The Marines should also expect to meet more often for bike rallies where they will have briefs safety and new orders before they take off on rides along different routes.
“I’m going to make sure we get the quarterly meetings that are required by the Marine Corps,” said Zigan. “If nothing else, we’ll just get together, have a meeting about what’s coming up, and possibly take off for a ride for the day.”
However, Zigan is not the only one who can set up events. He spoke with Lt. Col. Craig C. Clemans, the commanding officer of 2nd Maint. Bn., who agreed to discuss any motorcycle-event concept Zigan brings up from the other servicemembers.
“If you have any ideas of places you want to go, by all means, let me know as soon as possible and we’ll start brainstorming and putting it together,” said Zigan. “As long as we make sure work happens here before we take off, we’ll have a good time.”
All servicemembers who drive motorcycles are required to attend the Basic Rider Course. They must also take part in the Experienced Rider Course, or ERC, 120 days later. The classes are designed to teach riders rules and precautions to keep them and others safe while riding their motorcycles.
“Every three years after (you go through ERC), you have to make sure you have an up-to-date course,” said Zigan. “One of the (courses riders can take) is BikeSafe North Carolina. Basically, all you’re doing is having a one-on-one lesson with a motorcycle-police officer. He follows you for a little bit and tells you what you’re doing right and what you can change.”
A policy letter from the II Marine Expeditionary Force leadership requires all commands aboard Camp Lejeune to create and sponsor off-duty motorcycle clubs. The clubs are designed to promote enjoyable, responsible and mature motorcycle driving for all riders stationed here. Marines can use the friendly environment as a way to freely mentor each other and give advice.
Motorcycle clubs aren’t the gangs many people think of, said Cpl. Corry D. Long, a Denton, Texas, native and calibration technician with the battalion.
“I got into motorcycles after I joined the Marine Corps,” said Long, who has put 12,000 miles on his motorcycle in two years. “A lot of my friends were riding, and I had always wanted to learn. Now I love it. It’s a blast.”
The Marines and sailors assembled at the barracks to meet with Staff Sgt. Shannon J. Zigan, the new motorcycle safety representative for 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, to discuss future events and their shared love of motorcycles.
The battalion's command wanted to encourage motorcyclists to ride together more often so they can apply safe practices into their riding.
“Next month on the 22nd, I’m planning on possibly doing a car and bike show,” Zigan explained to the Marines before him. “It’s going to be a spring safety event, but it’s not just going to be motorcycle related. I might get some of the motorcycle-police riders out in town and some of the other local companies to come and give you guys some ideas of what to do.”
The Marines should also expect to meet more often for bike rallies where they will have briefs safety and new orders before they take off on rides along different routes.
“I’m going to make sure we get the quarterly meetings that are required by the Marine Corps,” said Zigan. “If nothing else, we’ll just get together, have a meeting about what’s coming up, and possibly take off for a ride for the day.”
However, Zigan is not the only one who can set up events. He spoke with Lt. Col. Craig C. Clemans, the commanding officer of 2nd Maint. Bn., who agreed to discuss any motorcycle-event concept Zigan brings up from the other servicemembers.
“If you have any ideas of places you want to go, by all means, let me know as soon as possible and we’ll start brainstorming and putting it together,” said Zigan. “As long as we make sure work happens here before we take off, we’ll have a good time.”
All servicemembers who drive motorcycles are required to attend the Basic Rider Course. They must also take part in the Experienced Rider Course, or ERC, 120 days later. The classes are designed to teach riders rules and precautions to keep them and others safe while riding their motorcycles.
“Every three years after (you go through ERC), you have to make sure you have an up-to-date course,” said Zigan. “One of the (courses riders can take) is BikeSafe North Carolina. Basically, all you’re doing is having a one-on-one lesson with a motorcycle-police officer. He follows you for a little bit and tells you what you’re doing right and what you can change.”
A policy letter from the II Marine Expeditionary Force leadership requires all commands aboard Camp Lejeune to create and sponsor off-duty motorcycle clubs. The clubs are designed to promote enjoyable, responsible and mature motorcycle driving for all riders stationed here. Marines can use the friendly environment as a way to freely mentor each other and give advice.
Motorcycle clubs aren’t the gangs many people think of, said Cpl. Corry D. Long, a Denton, Texas, native and calibration technician with the battalion.
“I got into motorcycles after I joined the Marine Corps,” said Long, who has put 12,000 miles on his motorcycle in two years. “A lot of my friends were riding, and I had always wanted to learn. Now I love it. It’s a blast.”