Debra Beda of Payson won the September contest and selected the Basic Rider Course as her prize. Here is her winning entry.

My brother was tragically killed on his motorcycle on January 29, 2011. Since then the loss of our beloved family member has been heartbreaking. The ridiculous sentence to the woman who killed my brother was appalling (she only received a 30 day in-house sentence!) As fate would have it, I met a stranger who belongs to ABATE of Arizona.

When I shared my story, he encouraged me to join and solicit the advice of our state lobbyist to perhaps someday get the penalties changed for careless and malicious drivers who take the lives of our motorcycle brothers and sisters. It may take until the day I die, but I vow to make sure that I have done everything I can to assure that the life of a biker is worth more than 30 days!!!!!!

I have since become a membership officer for my chapter, and now feel that I would like to move to the next stage of experiencing what my brother so loved and cherished in his life. I have only ridden passenger on a bike once in my lifetime (I am 54) and have never driven…I do have motorcycles available to me, but the desire and experience was lacking.

I believe a good sound training course will lead me to many years of safety and enjoyment on riding, and will keep me forever close to my dear brother.

Ride free Brian!

Thank you

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Following Debra Beda’s training at TEAM Arizona Motorcyclist Training Centers in Gilbert, AMSAF Chairman Mick Degn met with her to discuss winning the contest.

Mick asks Debra about her training experience at TEAM Arizona Motorcyclist Training Centers.