Where to learn to ride a motorcycle on Long Island

The first time Teresa Deasy twisted the throttle on a motorcycle, she wasn’t chasing the thrill of speed, but a source of confidence. “It just seemed too scary,” said the 21-year-old Smithtown resident, remembering the nerves she felt before taking her first lesson. “I wanted to feel more in control before even trying.”

Deasy, a recent environmental science graduate from Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire, had always admired the freedom of life on two wheels. But it wasn’t until summer 2024 that she took the leap by enrolling at Big Apple Motorcycle School, a Long Island-based program that teaches riders of varying skill levels not just how to operate a bike, but to stay safe while doing it. Students do not have to obtain a New York State Class M motorcycle license or permit before taking the introductory course.

“We are not doing this for the money,” said Diane Ortiz, 73, who founded the school in 2006. “We’re motorcyclists who want people to be safe and enjoy the roads. I started Big Apple Motorcycle School because I believe proper training saves lives, especially in a state like New York, where motorcycle safety courses aren’t required.”

That philosophy is shared by Steve Bertoline, a lifelong rider and owner of On The Road Again Motorcycle School, which offers training in Nassau, Suffolk and Queens. “Riding a motorcycle is kind of like flying an airplane — it’s not something you can safely teach yourself,” he said. “Your skill is the most important thing keeping you safe out there. It’s unforgiving if you don’t know what you’re doing.”

The course Deasy took through Big Apple included two full days of on-bike training, plus an online class that takes about five hours to complete. The program costs $398 and provides all safety gear and a variety of beginner-friendly motorcycles to fit different heights and body types. For those still unsure, the school offers free-ride events a few times a year, or a $99, two-hour discovery experience, “so people can ride in a controlled environment before committing,” Ortiz said.

“I was nervous, but it helped to see riders of all ages around me, from teenagers to people in their 50s,” Deasy said. “The instructors found the perfect balance between being encouraging and being serious about safety.”