Thanking Those Who Put Their Lives On The Line: Harley-Davidson Offers Free Riding Academy Motorcycle Training To First Responders

H-D Employees Volunteer at Local Firehouses and Police Stations to say 'Thank you."

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Nov 17, 2015, 01:25 ET

MILWAUKEE, Nov. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As a gift of thanks, Harley-Davidson will expand its free Riding Academy motorcycle training offer to all U.S. first responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMS professionals* from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2016.

Bill Davidson, vice president of the Harley-Davidson Museum, washes a Milwaukee police motorcycle as other employees wash fire department vehicles in Milwaukee, Wisc. Harley-Davidson announced free Riding Academy motorcycle training to all U.S. first responders from January 1 to December 31, 2016. (Jeffrey Phelps/AP Images for Harley-Davidson)

The announcement comes on the heels of the year-long extension of "Operation Personal Freedom: Ride Free," free Riding Academy motorcycle training to all current and former U.S. military, extending the benefits of learning to ride to those who protect and serve at home, in addition to those who defend our freedoms around the world.

"Since 1908, when the first police department ordered its first Harley-Davidson motorcycle, we have supported First Responders," said Bill Davidson, great-grandson of one of the company's founders, and vice president of the Harley-Davidson Museum. "Today, we're providing First Responders the opportunity to personally experience the open road – the freedom, the escape, the smells, the sounds – that can only be enjoyed from behind the handlebars of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle."

To unveil the "First Responders Ride Free" offer, Harley-Davidson employees across the country volunteered at local firehouses and police stations in Albuquerque, N.M., Kansas City, Mo., Milwaukee, Wisc., San Diego, Calif., Wichita, KS, and York, Pa. At the events, employees washed police motorcycles and fire trucks and served lunch to first responders.

"Law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMS professionals selflessly put their lives on the line every day for us," Davidson added. "This is one small way we can say 'Thank you.'"

First responders can learn more about the offer by visiting a Harley-Davidson dealer or going to http://www.h-d.com/AmericanHeroes. If Riding Academy is not available in a particular area, Harley-Davidson will offer a Harley-Davidson Gift Card for the amount of the enrollment fee for a qualified third-party motorcycle riding course.

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.

*Offer details: Must complete course between 1/1/16 & 12/31/16. Limited to current and retired United States police officers, firefighters and certified EMS/EMT, 18+, 50 United States & D.C. only; dealer participation varies. Class availability is first come, first serve. Those who register but fail to attend course may be charged the normal course fee. Additional terms and conditions apply; see www.h-d.com/AmericanHeroes for eligibility, reg. info. + more details. Alternative offers available for qualifying individuals unable to attend an H-D Riding Academy course. Void where prohibited/restricted by law.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151117/288333

SOURCE Harley-Davidson