Dear Editor:

I would like to express my opinion on the article you wrote about the Motorcycle Safety Ride for the military only (“Thunder Road,” Oct. 4).

The event was held to raise awareness of the military’s commitment to rider safety. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for the military. My son is in the U.S. Marines and has been over to Iraq for two tours. I have a problem with this ride being just for the military who were welcomed here in Franklin.

Believe it or not, there are a lot of bikers here in Franklin, and Paul D. Camp Community College offers a motorcycle safety class. Nothing was ever mentioned about the commitment that the Motorcycle Safety Foundation has.

My husband and I have been riding motorcycles for many, many years and have taken the class several times to brush up on our riding skills.

When I first read the article about this ride, my husband and I were ready to ride for the commitment to safety, then it said for “military only.” Well, that counted us out, as well as a lot of folks here in Franklin and Southampton County.

If you are going to do something like this, it should be open to all motorcycle riders, not just the military.

Motorcycle safety is for everyone, not just the military.

My husband and I belong to Goldwing Road Riders Association and also Honda Riders of Tidewater. Each of these organizations stresses the safety of riding a motorcycle. GWRRA offers many classes on safe-riding skills.

Why do people always have to be singled out whether you are military or not? Everyone who rides a motorcycle should have a commitment to riding safe.

What is the City of Franklin doing for the motorcyclists who live here? We didn’t receive a key to the city. Why did they?

Visit gwrra.org for more info on training.

Dan and Mary Barraclough

Franklin