RiderCoaches for the program are all experienced motorcyclists. Each is certified nationally by MSF, and then by TNMREP.

email Steve

Steve Barber, Site Coordinator

Sometimes it is interesting to hear how people got started riding. It certainly is for Melanie and I. There was no way my parents were going to give me, or even allow me, a motorcycle of scooter as a kid growing up. I had cousins with a mini-bike, but that was about it. So, we didn't learn how much fun it was unitl our kids were grown adults and we made a business trip to Bermuda. There you can't rent a car, so the only transportaion options are taxis or rent a scooter. We had so much fun that week that when I returned home, I deciied to research the purchase of a motorcycle.

Well, for those of you who know Melanie, she was not about to be left behind and did not like riding behind me. I was not a very good rider (but certainly would not admit it at the time), and I insisted that Melanie enroll in rider training. As a show of support, I enrolled with her. I can not begin tell you how much I did not know.

A few years later, I found myself unemployed due to downsizing, so I became an instructor and immediately started Volunteer Motorcycle Training Service with Melanie.

Curently, I ride a 2003 Harley-Davidson Electragide Classic. I can not say that I won't buy another motorcycle, but I can safely say I have no plans to sell my 100th anniversary motorcycle. These will become rare collectables some day. Maybe the grandchildren will enjoy it one day.

If I can be of assistance, send me an email.

email Melanie

Melanie Barber, Site Coordinator

I have been riding for about 10 years. I started with a Yamaha 650 for one season, then changed to a Harley-Davidson Sportster. Currently, I have a 2003 anniversary edition Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic. We have made several trips on our motorcycles, two of which were to Milwaukee for the 95^th and 100^th Harley-Davidson celebrations. Riding is such a thrill that is hard to explain. It is just like the saying goes “if I have to explain, you would not understand”. 

I am an Auditor by profession. I earned my Masters degree in December 2000. I am now working on my CPA certification. 

I decided to become a Rider Coach primarily to help Steve when he first started the training course. I thought I was a good rider before taking the Rider Coach Prep Course; not a great rider but a good rider. Little did I know how much I didn’t know. Being a Rider Coach has sharpened my skills more than I could ever imagine. Even now, I attend the Experienced RiderCourse as a student to help keep my skills sharp. I really enjoy teaching the class room sections of the Basic RiderCourse.

I handle most of the registrations for our program, so if you need assistance, send me an email.

email John

John Milliken, State Coordinator

Tennessee Motorcycle Rider Education Program

I am 64 years old (man I hate that) and married to Jeannie for the last 38 years. I was with the Metro Police Dept. for thirty five and a half years. While there I worked in Patrol, Community Relations and Auto Theft Divisions and was assigned to Motorcycles in July 1974. I was still assigned to Motorcycles when I retired.

It was a fantastic life that I miss far more than I thought. It is the only job you get paid for doing the same thing you were doing when you were 18 years old, ridding around trying to get in trouble.They will even pay you to do it on a motorcycle.

I am a graduate of the Univ. of Tennessee and the F.B.I. National Academy. I was also one of the departments police motor course trainers.

I have two adult children, Steve a Nashville firefighter, and Amy,  real estate financing. We have three grand children ranging in age from five years to 15yrs.

I ride a  2004 Harley-Davidson Road King police commerative edition (what else). I love ridding and eating; do far to much of one and nowhere near enough of the other.

If MREP or I can be of assistance, send me an email.

email Karl

Karl Batson

I started riding motorcycles in 1974 after my parents bought me a Yamaha 90cc twin. For years this was my main transportation.  Twenty-two motorcycles and thirty-seven years later, I enjoy riding as much as I did when I first started.

I attended a motorcycle safety class knowing that I was a good rider. But I finished the class one point from failing. This was a wake up call; I didn’t know as much as I thought.  At this point, I started thinking how fortunate I was to be alive!   Learning to teach safety courses became a personal mission for me.  In October 1999, I  successfully completed the course to become an Instructor.

In 2003, I was sponsored by the Tennessee Motorcycle Rider Education Program to attend the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Chief School in Colton, California. After successful completion, I became the first Afro American Chief Instructor.

I currently own three motorcycles; 2007 Honda Goldwing,  2009 Suzuki Hayabusa and a custom built 2009 Kawasaki ZX14 show bike. As of January 2011 I have logged over 524,000 miles and covered 42 of the 48 continental United States.

I serve as a consultant to the Tennessee Motorcycle Rider Education Program and RiderCoach.  I manage Applebee’s Restaurant on Thompson Lane, and teach rollerskate  lessons for Rivergate Skate Center.

I offer weekday safety courses and if you have a difficult time taking off for a weekend class please send me an email and I will help you with a weekday class.  I also offer private weekday classes! Call me at 615-653-8528 (cell) or 615-298-3298 (work).

email Bart

Bart Butler

I am a 50 (and change) years old, single father and I have been riding more than half of my life. 

My industry of choice is the Entertainment Security (Crown Management, Executive Protection and Event Staffing) side of life for over 30 years.

The reason I became a rider coach was because I wanted to learn to ride better and another MSF coach suggested I learn to teach riding to become that more improved rider.

The only dilemma I have is I can’t figure out which M/C of mine I like riding best, the ’91 H-D Custom Softail, or the ’05 Screaming Eagle Ultra Classic.  In either case, my favorite place to ride is in east Tennessee in and around North Carolina.

email Jennifer

Jennifer Chambliss

Growing up, I loved nothing more than riding 4-wheelers or hopping on a horse. It was like freedom from everything around me, I could be in my own little world.

When I was 17, all my friends and I rode 4-wheelers then they began to get motorcycles. My mom wasn't about to buy me a motorcycle, so I would just ride with them on occasions. Soon after, I got into cars decided I liked racing building my car to show at events. Then about 3 yrs ago, I decided to sell my beautiful show car finally bought a motorcycle! 

I now sport a 2007 Red/White GSXR-600 (named Scarlett!), but am always on the prowl for other motorcycles to up my collection. 

I got into teaching a couple years ago after taking the class myself realizing there is a lot to learn about safety riding. I wanted to continue to strengthen my skills knowledge as a rider as well as teach others the knowledge skills to become a better rider. I always advise anyone on a bike if you have not taken a riders education class, you should! I guarantee you'll have fun learn something new!
Hope to see you in class! If I can be of help, send me an email.

email Bob

Bob Gast

I started riding a friend’s mini-bike when I was in junior high school. When we were in high school, he got a Honda 550-4. My friend let me borrow his Honda to "cruise" the downtown area of our Indiana home town. No rider training, just hopped on and rode; very risky looking back.

Fast forward when I worked for Eastern Airlines in Miami, Florida. I got the bug to ride, and again, no formal training was available. I did buy a copy of the "Hurt Report" and educated myself on the riding do’s and don'ts. I purchased a new Suzuki GS850GT (shaft drive) and trained myself on the highways of south Florida, driving amongst the mix of drivers from New York City, Cuba and other places of South America.

We moved to Minnesota, where riding is limited to 6 mo, or less, as compared to 12 mo in south Florida. I found the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and enrolled in a rider training program, and became an "Instructor" in 1990. Then, the kids came along and riding was put on the back burner. I sold my Suzuki and didn’t ride again until we relocated to Tennessee in 2006.

I currently ride a 2005 BMW KT1200LT. I have been married for 25 years and my wife also rides a Suzuki 650 Burgman scooter. We enjoy riding the mountains of east Tennessee, western North Carolina and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

I renewed my skills as an Instructor in 2008. I enjoy facilitating the Basic RiderCourse and enjoy new riders who go from little to no knowledge to being certified to ride on the streets.

I hope to see you at Nashville Super Speedway, where you can learn to ride a motorcycle in a single weekend. If I can be of help, send me an email.

email Jennifer

Jennifer Moorhouse

I remember my first ride as a child. A neighbor gave me a ride along our street. The driveway was gravel, and I remember skidding, falling, burned my leg and burned hole in a new pair of jeans. I didn't get back on a motorcycle again until I was around thirty years old.

My husband, Mark, and I were at the Nashville Superspeedway one day for an autocross with the Nashville Corvette Club, and noticed a handful of motorcycles and riders doing something in the parking. Wow! There are classes for learning how to ride! It was intriguing, but still took me over a year later to decide that was for me.

We obtained our motorcycle endorsements, but didn’t have any bikes to ride. A friend loaned us a pair of Kawasaki Ninja 250s to ride. Mark started looking for motorcycles of our own. We now own a 1979 Honda Goldwing, 1979 Honda CB750 and Kawasaki Vulcan 500.

I have come a long way from being shy and nervous about motorcycling where I got my husband to ask someone at Nashville Superspeedway what was happening to becoming a RiderCoach. I feel I can make a difference in the way people learn to ride.

We enjoy our motorcycling and encourage motorcyclists to improve their riding skills through education. If I can be of assistance, send me an mail. Let's go riding!

email Linda

email Taz

Taz Roberts

I started riding in my teens on a Kawasaki dirt bike. Besides dirt bikes, I have ridden four wheelers and street cruisers. I have ridden 48 of the 50 states; the two yet to be conquered is Alaska and Hawaii. I am a member of the Iron Butt Association; rode over 1500 miles in less than 24 hours.

I was invited by a friend (instructor) to become an instructor. I am a certified instructor in other fields, so this was natural. And it helps improve my riding skills.

As of January 2011, my current ride is a 1996 Yamaha Royal Star with almost 120,000 miles.

email Wayne

Wayne Shaub

After a 32 year career with BellSouth/AT&T I accepted an ‘early retirement’ offer and pursued a long time goal of becoming a certified RiderCoach. I’m a native Tennessean who’s been riding for 30+ years. While working in our SMRO I’ve served as CMT/ABATE of TN State Director, Asst. State Director, Legislative Officer and Lobbyist at our State Legislature. On the national level I’m also a member of the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) and Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF). “Our freedoms never come free.”

Along with motorcycling (I’ve ridden to Sturgis every year since 1993) I enjoy tennis, hunting, reading, guitars, and mechanics. During football season I bleed Orange for the Vols and Green & Gold for the Packers. I’m active in St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Franklin, Tennessee. My wife (Julie) and I have two adult sons (who both ride), enjoy traveling and visiting friends and family.

Current rides include a Harley-Davidson FXR Super Glide, FLHR Road King, and FLHT Classic. Julie usually claims the FXR, but I enjoy them all. My philosophy, “Enjoy every day, this ain’t no dress rehearsal. " If I can help you, send me an email

email Terri

Terri Swindle

For several years as a child I rode dirt bikes. As a teenager I moved to FL and that’s where I met and marred my husband, Terry. He and I have raised two wonderful children and have lived in Bethpage since 1988.

When the children left for college I suddenly found time to re-discover things I had enjoyed in the past and found time to try things I had always wanted to try, like yoga. Through all these years there were no motorcycles in my life until my husband bought my dad’s ’99 HD Wide Glide. He had always wanted a motorcycle. He took the BRC, received his M endorsement and started riding. He repeatedly asked me to ride with him but I refused. Then one day I did go and we ended up riding 175 miles. Spending that much time on a tiny Wide Glide seat convinced me that maybe my own motorcycle would be a better choice.

So, I signed up and took the next class available. I wondered if I might be afraid to ride again but our instructors were wonderful. One in particular really made an impression on me. Just talking with her on breaks reminded me how much fun riding is. So as they say, “The rest is history”. I love riding my ’01 HD Low Rider. We have a great time riding together and with friends. I am always looking for the next chance to ride.

Over the years I have guided Girl Scouts and coached several soccer teams. Being a rider coach is just a new way for me to share something else that I love and I hope everyone will join us in a class and on the road as a safe rider!

email Vickie

 Vickie Wilson

A transplant from Pennsylvania, Vickie has been in Nashville for nearly 11 years. She is a United States Postal Employee and has many interests including gardening, crocheting, and shopping!

Her main interest is motorcycling. Vickie has been on motorcycles ever since she could sit up straight. She was content to ride on the back of a motorcycle until she saw how much fun her husband Mike had being a Rider Coach.

With her love of motorcycling and great training by Motorcycle Safety Foundation Rider Coaches, she became a Rider Coach herself in 2001. Recognizing the need to help fellow riders polish their skills or help new or entry level riders gain the skills to become safe riders is a passion of hers

She and her husband currently own two motorcycles, an 1800GL Honda Goldwing and an 1100XV Yamaha Virago. She is amazed and very pleased that the gender spell has been broken when it comes to motorcycles. She says, "There are enough roads out there for everybody...male and female alike, and if not, we'll make more!" (Roads, that is.)

Her motto is: "Every Day Is A Great Day For A Ride!"