Mission Open Road: Harley-Davidson Rolls Out Free Riding Academy Training To All U.S. Military

H-D to give the freedom of motorcycle riding to those who serve and have served our country

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May 07, 2015, 09:00 ET

MILWAUKEE, May 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- From the flight deck of the USS Yorktown, Harley-Davidson today announces it is offering all current and former U.S. military free Riding Academy motorcycle training. The new "Learn to Ride" program, open to active-duty, retired, reservists and veterans, begins on Armed Forces Day, May 16 and runs through Sept. 13.

The scene from above the flight deck of the USS Yorktown -- six veterans and active-duty military ride the H-D Street 500 as Harley-Davidson announced it is offering current and former U.S. military free Riding Academy motorcycle training in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., Thursday, May 7, 2015. (Mic Smith/AP Images for Harley-Davidson)

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 today's announcement by demonstrating fundamental motorcycle riding exercises aboard the USS Yorktown in Charleston, S.C.

"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, 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 this offer by visiting a Harley-Davidson dealer or going to h-d.com/militarylearntoride. If 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 U.S. Army veteran.

OPERATION PERSONAL FREEDOM™

Last November, Harley-Davidson announced a new alliance with Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) that focuses on improving the lives of service men and women who are living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This new program, dubbed Operation Personal Freedom, includes a new Harley-Davidson MotorClothes collection with 10 percent of the sales supporting WWP's efforts as well as various dealer events across the country focused on welcoming and celebrating our military heroes. To learn more about Operation Personal Freedom visit www.h-d.com/military.

About Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson® motorcycle parts, accessories, riding gear and apparel, and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson's website at www.h-d.com.

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SOURCE Harley-Davidson