Instructors
| Michael Choi I’ve always wanted to ride a motorcycle after watching the opening scene of the 1987 movie, American Ninja 2. As a young boy, I thought it was the coolest thing. I’ve been riding for 8 years and I decided to become a rider coach because I want to give back to the community. Some of my hobbies include road/mtb cycling. |
| Robert Frank Ciafardini I was born and raised in the Bronx, and got my motorcycle license at Lehman College. Today, I ride a Ducati 1198R and a Harley Davidson V-Rod, but as much as I love riding in my spare time, I love teaching and inspiring other riders more. My vision is to encourage others to experience the best of two wheels. So your new, lifelong journey can be a memorable one. |
| Rich Derevensky I live in Montgomery, NY and I have been riding for 29 years. I started motorcycling when I realized it would be more fun to ride to work instead of driving. As an instructor, I get to share my experience and meet new people while doing it. |
| Ikanke Essien I love driving and riding, which is why I decided to become a driving and motorcycle instructor. I’ve been teaching driving since August of ‘14 and motorcycles since September of‘15. I have had several jobs in my life and have gone to school, but none of them have been as rewarding as being an instructor. I love the fact that it has a major impact on my students’ and their families’ lives. |
| Ryan Forrest I began riding motorcycles as a teenager when I received my first motorcycle as a graduation present and I've been riding ever since. I joined the Air Force right out of high school and have served for about 29 years. With my impending retirement, I wanted to get involved more in my hobby. I truly enjoy watching students gain knowledge and confidence as they progress through our classes. |
| Felix Gomez As far back as I can remember I’ve been on a bike. As a kid, my father would stick me between his arms as we rode around town. I would grab the handlebars and pretended I was the one driving. As I grew older, riding bikes is a way to feel connected with him. I decided to start coaching to hopefully help others create long lasting memories like the ones I have. |
| Leon Gravesande Originally from South America, Guyana, I have been residing in NY for most of my life. I learned to ride a motorcycle with MSS in 2014 and became a rider coach in 2020. What initially started as a bucket list item has become a lifelong passion for improving my skill and sharing it with others to help them achieve their goals. |
| Johan Hedlund I was born and raised in Gothenburg, Sweden, and I have been riding since 1978. Being an instructor enables me to communicate and share my positive experience with others while enhancing my own riding ability. |
| Jeffery m Jenkins I took the MSF Basic RiderCourse in 2007 with MSS in the Bronx, bought my first bike a month later, and have been riding ever since. Motorcycle culture always attracted me, but being a parent of three, I put a hold that lifestyle on hold. Being a RiderCoach allows me to interact with and share my gift so that others can also enjoy motorcycles. |
| Nathaniel Lapier I grew up in Austin, TX before moving to New York City in 2010. A rider since my 2009 Basic RiderCourse, I also bicycle, run, sail, and work as a programmer when I'm not getting my Africa Twin muddy. I'm an instinctive teacher and love to guide new riders into the world of motorcycling. |
| Hanchin Lee Chin has always wanted to ride motorcycles ever since she was little but she was only able to after finally saving up for her own motorcycle when she turned 25. Since then she's been commuting in NYC year round on her motorcycle. Chin also enjoys exploring the world on two wheels and has taken many motorcycle trips in various parts of the world. Through becoming a RiderCoach she hopes to be able to teach skills that would allow others to enjoy their own experiences. |
| Eli Litt I live in the Flatiron neighborhood of Manhattan with my wife and young son, and enjoy riding around the city as much as I do touring country roads. I started riding in 2003 after sitting in traffic for 18 hours to enter a music festival while watching motorcycles go in and out of the fairgrounds with ease! Teaching at MSS gives me the privilege of sharing one of the great joys in my life with others. |
| BettyRae Lorenz I live in West Shokan, NY, and have been riding for 44 years. My interest in motorcycles began at an early age because I thought it would be something exciting to do. I love being a RiderCoach and sharing the opportunity to ride with others. |
| Jennifer Mikula Growing up, riding was on my "bucket list"; house, dog, bike, and that's what I did! Learning to ride by taking the MSF Basic Rider course, I began the "right way". Now coaching I can pass along safe riding skills to riders in the community that I will probably pass on the road. |
| Boris A Munoz I was born and raised in NYC and got into motorcycling about ten years ago when I took the BRC with MSS in Staten Island. I had no prior training, but it was an experience of a lifetime, and I was hooked! I became a motorcycle instructor because I wanted to give back to the motorcycling world that same invigorating, self-fulfilling, awesome feeling of riding a motorcycle for the first time. |
| Cindy Pope I currently live in the Buffalo, NY, but I'm originally from Somerville, MA. 29 years ago I was introduced to motorcycling by a close friend and have been riding ever since. Seeing people who've been riding for a while learn new skills in our courses makes me love my job. |
| James Pravasilis I began riding around the age of 8 years old . I started on a small Sears mini bike and graduated to dirtbikes. Since then I have ventured into road racing and motocross riding and street riding. I received advanced training from California Superbike School. I'm also a riding coach for the Riders club at New Jersey Motorsport Park teaching riders how to ride on racetracks. |
| Kenneth Punnett I have been riding for 27 years, and live in West Falls, NY. I was thrilled to be a passenger on a friend's bike and wanted to feel that freedom everyday! As an instructor, I enjoy guiding students through the skills acquired in MSF courses and watching them progress - whether they are new or experienced riders. |
| Joel Scott Samuel I live in Queens and have been a motorcycle enthusiast since 1976. After taking the BRC at MSS, I decided to become a Rider Coach and pass on the great safety skills that continue to benefit me! |
| Gin Shear I was raised in Rochester and started riding in 1975. I immediately bought a leather jacket, helmet, and my first motorcycle and later became a RiderCoach in 1992. Sharing my love of motorcycling with people new to the sport is so rewarding, watching students start with little or no experience and leaving with a love of riding. |
| Sue Slate I have ridden in every U.S. state except Hawaii and most of the Canadian provinces including the Yukon and North West Territories so I encourage everyone to get out there and see the planet on two or three wheels! I cross-train annually in multiple motorcycling disciplines and have been a Ridercoach since 1992. Becoming a coach opened up another way to enjoy riding for me! |
| Paul Spataro I've been riding for a while and feel it can be a very freeing and relaxing experience, especially when riding safely. MSF and MSS offer a great way to learn to ride safely so you can fully enjoy the riding experience. I became a Rider Coach to teach people how to ride safely and respectfully so they can fully enjoy their riding experience! |
| Dave Stark I have been riding motorcycles for nearly 40 years and enjoy leisurely weekend rides through NY, NJ and PA. I grew up on Long Island and am a Certified Project Management Professional with over 30 years of experience in the media and entertainment industry. I became an MSF RiderCoach in 2018 to encourage the next generation of motorcycle riders to have a commitment to safety. |
| Rebecca Stearns I grew up in West Seneca down the road from the training facility in West Seneca. I took the MSF Basic Rider Course 20 years ago and I have been riding ever since. I grew up around bikes as my dad and uncle rode. I am a Buffalo Public High School teacher and I like riding on the open, winding country roads. I enjoy teaching others and I am looking forward to getting more women riders on the road. |
| Julio Urbina I grew up in Queens and started riding in my early teens and have been riding ever since. It's a fun and exciting way to get around town and meet people who have the same passion. I used to teach and I missed that feeling you get when you successfully pass along your skills, knowledge, and passion to the students. I enjoy riding and have passed along that love of motorcycles to my wife, son and daughter. I look forward to passing along that love of motorcycles to you! |
| Paul Venn My name is Paul and I have been riding for just over five years now. I currently own a Suzuki Vstrom which I like to take on long drives when I have some free time. I took the Basic Rider Course at the Brooklyn location and had such an amazing experience. It has been a privilege to give new students that same amazing experience and create better, and safer riders. |
