Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson Motor Co. is offering all current and former U.S. military free Riding Academy motorcycle training through its new “Learn to Ride” program. Open to active-duty, retired, reservists and veterans, it begins on Saturday (Armed Forces Day) and runs through Sept. 13.
Harley-Davidson teamed up with U.S. Army veteran and two-time Paralympian Heath Calhoun and six riders who are also in the military to make the announcement from the flight deck of the USS Yorktown.
“As a veteran and a rider, I have found that nothing is more therapeutic than getting on my bike and taking a ride,” said Calhoun, a Wounded Warrior Project alumnus and owner of a 2014 Harley-Davidson Tri-Glide. “I am honored to help Harley-Davidson empower all of us who have served to find comfort on the open road.”
All stateside military can take advantage of the offer by visiting a Harley-Davidson dealer or going to h-d.com/militarylearntoride. If the Riding Academy is not available in a particular area, Harley-Davidson will issue a Harley-Davidson gift card for the cost of the certified motorcycle safety program.
Those currently deployed outside the U.S. can also submit the Learn to Ride form by Sept. 13 and will receive a voucher for free motorcycle safety training that is good through 2016.
“For us at Harley-Davidson, this is our way to thank the millions of people who have courageously defended our country and everyone’s personal freedom to ride,” said Christian Walters, managing director of U.S. sales and marketing at Harley-Davidson, and a U.S. Army veteran.
