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Nicole Wants to Know: "How to be a Motorcycle Coach"

By: Nicole Morten Email
Updated: Thu 9:20 PM, Jun 11, 2009

Many people ride motorcycles for fun, while others like to save on gas. But there's yet another group who was just born to ride.

NewsChannel 7's Nicole Morten introduces us to a local man who's sharing his passion for motorcycles by teaching the rules of the road.

Whether your driving a car or riding a motorcycle --- safety should always come first.

Riding motorcycles comes natural to John Rossi.

“Go ahead start em' up…”

A native Bostonian and an award winning motorcycle coach, he said his passion for riding began in his youth. After retiring, Rossi decided to share that passion with others and teach motorcycle safety.

“Lets everyone turn to page 19…"

"It's a 2 day course, we come here at 7 a.m.,” said Motorcycle Coach, John Rossi, “We spend a couple of hours in the classroom, then we get you on the bike, then we do the same thing on Sunday, and afterwards, the students’ take a written exam.”

Rossi said drivers not paying attention to motorcycles on the road is one of the biggest causes of accidents.

"This course teaches you how to wear brightly colored upper-torso clothing, lane positioning, adding extra lights to your bike…being seen is where it’s at. Being noticed. Being recognized. Being obvious.”

Ricky Wood, of Bonifay, recently purchased his first motorcycle and jumped at the chance to take the course.

"I've learned a lot of fundamentals on basic rider etiquette,” said Wood. “Controls of the motorcycle, general knowledge that will help me day-to-day as a beginning rider."

Rossi said he hopes his graduates are safe riders today and the lessons learned last a lifetime.

"Safety is number one here on the range, we want you go to go home with all your toes and fingers because you might need them do something else one day."

The two-day safety course costs $200. Rossi also said a new Florida law gives all licensed riders a 10 percent discount on motorcycle insurance.

For more information on Learn2Ride, visit the link listed below.


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