The place where celebrities & corporations come to learn how to ride a motorcycle.
Our Team
Dave Bellizzi
Dave has been teaching the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) courses since 1995. He started teaching for The Riding Academy of NJ (RANJ) in 2008 and became the Site Administrator in 2011. He took over running The Riding Academy of NJ (RANJ) in March of 2017.
Dave has an extensive background in training, transportation safety and accident investigation. He spent 11 years in the Navy and several years in law enforcement. He was also an insurance salesman, financial planner, sales trainer, marketing consultant, seminar leader (for Dale Carnegie, The Silva Mind Control Method, Tony Robbins), motivational speaker, Safety & Training Director for a school bus company, defensive driving instructor for the National Safety Council, and an accident investigator. Dave has a degree in Psychorientology, which is the study of the human mind and how it works. He's also been an expert witness in court cases involving motorcycle accidents. Dave attends the MSF National Conference every year, was a presenter at the 2019 MSF National Conference and works closely with the MSF Staff to maintain quality assurance for the Academy. He has also read all the motorcycle safety researches published to date and reads all the current ones that are conducted. AKA "Super Dave", Dave has personally trained over 5,000 people to ride a motorcycle and has taught for all the major motorcycle schools in NJ. He is frequently interviewed by The Record newspaper's Road Warrior when John Cichowski writes articles about motorcycles. Besides running RANJ, Dave is a member of SEALFIT, an organization that prepares individuals for Navy SEAL training and teaches children water safety & survival swimming techniques.
Mike Dobias
Mike has been an MSF instructor since 2000. He was the Program Coordinator for FDU's motorcycle program for several years until he became dissatisfied with the program which is now shut down. Mike started riding dirt bikes in grade school. He has been a ballroom dance instructor, had his own landscaping decorating business and currently manages the Bottle King Liquor Store in Dumont with his wife. If you go to our Facebook page, you'll recognize Mike as the one who is sitting on the ground in the lotus position in all the class photos. "Mikey" rides all year long because he doesn't want to own a car. He enjoys the Zen of two-wheels (and three-wheels). Mikey is also an ordained minister. We sometimes call him Fr. Mike "Yoganada" Dobias.
Don Daves
Don has been an MSF instructor since 2007. He was a scuba instructor for several years. He is currently an insurance broker who handles all the insurance for the Academy and not only can Don help you with your motorcycle insurance questions, he can help you with all of your insurance needs. "Mr. Don" is also a Road Captain for the Bergen County HOG Chapter and enjoys riding all over the country with the group.
Sal Ferraro, Ph.D.
Sal Ferraro, Ph.D.
Sal has been an MSF instructor since 2008. Besides loving to ride and teaching people how to ride, he is also an avid skier, a ski instructor, and a driving instructor. Sal has an extensive corporate background and is well-versed in computers. (He fixes all of the Academy's computer problems). "Doc" (who has a Ph.D. in Business) is a professor at several NJ colleges and a Department Head at Caldwell College. He also enjoys helping people as a Life Coach. Sal has ridden the Tail of the Dragon several times and rode Rt. 66 on his own in 2021. Both of his children have taken the MSF BRC1.
John Gurrieri
Sal Ferraro, Ph.D.
John Gurrieri
John has been an MSF instructor since 2009. "Probie" is an an avid rider with well over 20 years of riding experience. When he's not riding, he's either target shooting at the firing range with his son, who is a volunteer fire fighter, and helping his daughter, who attends MSU, develop her home-based business. John has a house down the shore and captains his boat every weekend during the summer. John truly loves to teach people how to ride and looks forward to each and every class he teaches. John works for the Federal Home Loan Bank and supervises a team of banking professionals. John's son has taken the MSF BRC1.
Ed Kinney
Sal Ferraro, Ph.D.
John Gurrieri
Ed has been an MSF instructor since 2023. "Fast Eddie" has been riding motorcycles for 51 years. Eddie's passion has always revolved around motorcycles since age 9. He enjoys off-road riding and adventure touring to new places. Eddie's #1 priority is safety and riding safely. He became an instructor because he loves working with people and watching them learn and grow as new riders. Eddie wants to give back for everything motorcycling has given him.
John Ferrarella
John passed away on 4/14/20 from complications due to Covid-19. He was working as an EMT responding to Covid-19 911 calls. John had been an MSF instructor since 1998. "The Captain" was a Marine veteran serving during the Vietnam War and a retired Fire Captain for the city of Paterson. He was also a certified EMT and a certified EMT trainer who taught EMT training at the Bergen County Police & Fire Academy & the Morris County Police Academy. John also had his own home security business for many years. Up until his death, he was an EMT for the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Rest in Peace, Capt. We will miss you and always remember you.
Felix Gomez
Felix became an MSF instructor in 2024. He's been riding motorcycles for 24 years. Felix currently works in the IT field and uses his motorcycle as a way to disconnect from the stresses of life. When he's riding his motorcycle, he finds peace on the open road.
Nelson Gonzalez, Esq.
Nelson has been an MSF instructor since 2018. He is a lawyer by trade and has a passion for motorcycle riding. He also teaches law classes at St. Peter's University and a community college. When he's not in court defending his clients or teaching students about law, the "Counselor" is out riding his motorcycle or taking a motorcycle course to keep his skills sharp. And he wants to share his passion and safety-conscious mindset with those who want to learn how to ride. His ability to speak Spanish is also a great asset to The Academy. Nelson is also the legal counsel for The Academy.
Paul Huelsenbeck
Paul has been an MSF instructor since 2018. Coming from a motorcycling family, his first experience on 2 wheels was on his uncle's motorcycle at age 3. He has been a member of ABATE of NJ, which is an organization that represents the rights of motorcyclists in NJ. A plumber by trade, the "Wolverine" has great people skills. He helps his clients make good decisions and he wants to help new riders make good, safety minded decisions as well.
Mark Miller
Mark Miller
Mark has been an MSF instructor since 2018. He is currently a professor at Ramapo College. The “Professor” is, for the most part, a “recreational rider” and loves to tool around the highways and byways of NJ and surrounding areas. Mark is the Entrepreneur-In-Residence at the Ramapo College of NJ, fostering the entrepreneurial ecosystem at the school and the community. He also teaches economics and entrepreneurship. So, unless you’re ready for a three hour lecture, don’t get him started on the economy and business. Mark is also the founder and managing director of Alliant Ventures, a business consulting and investing company. He was also involved with the development of WD 40. Mark gave up riding when life got in the way. He jumped back in, taking BRC1 at the Riding Academy, when his son bought a motorcycle in Poland. (His son later took the MSF BRC1 when he returned to the States). Mark is passionate about motorcycle safety and is hoping to share that passion with the next generation of riders. Mark was also an outstanding collegiate swimmer participating in the Pan Am games. We sometimes call him Mark Spitz Miller.
Steve Purdy
Steve has been an MSF instructor since 2018. Steve got into motorcycling later in life. He took the MSF BRC1 at the young age of 50 and fell in love with motorcycles from the first twist of the throttle. Since then, he has logged many miles riding all year round throughout the country. Steve recently retired after 37 years in sales and sa
Steve has been an MSF instructor since 2018. Steve got into motorcycling later in life. He took the MSF BRC1 at the young age of 50 and fell in love with motorcycles from the first twist of the throttle. Since then, he has logged many miles riding all year round throughout the country. Steve recently retired after 37 years in sales and sales management in the food industry. He combines his previous experience as a Dale Carnegie Sales Instructor with his love for motorcycling when he teaches students who attend a course conducted by The Riding Academy of NJ. Steve, along with the MSF, believes that riding a motorcycle is "serious fun" and is excited to help students new to riding learn the proper and safe way to ride. Steve is a former Army paratrooper and is a member of both the Indian Motorcycle Rider Group of NJ and the Central Jersey Motorcycle Rider's Group. In the fall of 2021, Steve and his wife moved to SC to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Now he teaches the MSF courses in SC and NJ when he visits NJ.
Dave Stark
Dave has been an MSF instructor since 2018. He is a Certified Project Management Professional with 30 years experience in the media and entertainment industry. He and his team work on helping to make their broadcasting company the best in the industry. Dave has ridden motorcycles since college and enjoys leisurely weekend rides through th
Dave has been an MSF instructor since 2018. He is a Certified Project Management Professional with 30 years experience in the media and entertainment industry. He and his team work on helping to make their broadcasting company the best in the industry. Dave has ridden motorcycles since college and enjoys leisurely weekend rides through the beautiful vistas that NJ, NY and PA have to offer. "Ironman" became a RiderCoach to encourage the next generation of motorcycle riders to have a commitment to safety as they embark on their own journey of “Serious Fun.”
Michael Vinogradov, Ph.D.
Michael Vinogradov, Ph.D.
Michael has been an MSF instructor since 2018. His passion with two-wheeled transportation began at a young age in Russia and it was reignited a few years ago, resulting in, much to his wife’s protest, the purchase of his first big boy motorcycle. Michael did the smart thing by taking the BRC1 at The Riding Academy of NJ to get his NJ mot
Michael has been an MSF instructor since 2018. His passion with two-wheeled transportation began at a young age in Russia and it was reignited a few years ago, resulting in, much to his wife’s protest, the purchase of his first big boy motorcycle. Michael did the smart thing by taking the BRC1 at The Riding Academy of NJ to get his NJ motorcycle endorsement, followed by completing the BRC2 on his first big boy motorcycle to get used to it. Apparently, he loved everything about The Academy that he decided to become an instructor for us. Michael is a financial software developer by trade with a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology. (If you want to see him blush, just call him "Doctor Mike”). Michael became a motorcycle safety instructor because he wants to lend his teaching and personal experience to educate future riders on how to safely enter the motorcycling world. Michael's son and wife have taken the MSF BRC1.
Joann Rivera
Lori O'Rourke
Lori O'Rourke
Joann has been an MSF instructor since 2009. "Jo Jo" is an architect by trade and moonlights as a photographer. She is the owner of Green Mojo Eco (a green environmental consulting company) and Scorpion Photography. Joann has been riding since 2006. Joann speaks Spanish fluently and she can ride.
Lori O'Rourke
Lori O'Rourke
Lori O'Rourke
Lori has been an MSF instructor since 2005. She has a strong background in retail sales and customer service. She started out working for a women's clothing store in college and has managed several department stores. She switched to the motorcycle industry by becoming the Apparel Manager for several local motorcycle dealerships. Her Dad g
Lori has been an MSF instructor since 2005. She has a strong background in retail sales and customer service. She started out working for a women's clothing store in college and has managed several department stores. She switched to the motorcycle industry by becoming the Apparel Manager for several local motorcycle dealerships. Her Dad got her interested in motorcycles. He was a mechanic who loved cars and motorcycles. Her older brother is a motorcycle police officer for the Lyndhurst Police Dept. She became an instructor to help get more women into the sport. (That's Lori's niece and dog in the photo).
Ralph Russo
Lori O'Rourke
Ralph Russo
Ralph has been an MSF instructor since 2003. While it is essential to acquire good physical skills, Ralph strongly believes that riders must develop superior mental and attitudinal skills to operate their motorcycles safely and responsibly - the goal of the BRC1. Ralph "Top Gun" is also an MSF Instructor Trainer who trains licensed motorc
Ralph has been an MSF instructor since 2003. While it is essential to acquire good physical skills, Ralph strongly believes that riders must develop superior mental and attitudinal skills to operate their motorcycles safely and responsibly - the goal of the BRC1. Ralph "Top Gun" is also an MSF Instructor Trainer who trains licensed motorcyclists to become MSF instructors. In addition to his extensive motorcycle experience, Ralph is a former attorney and taught law classes at MSU. When not riding his motorcycle, Ralph enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons.
Wendy Baytan
Wendy Baytan
Wendy Baytan
Wendy has been an MSF instructor since 2020. Wendy is Paul Huelsenbeck's sister. They are our first brother/sister instructor team. She also has a strong background in fundraising and grant writing and handles all of our fundraising and grant programs. She is also a member of the Garden State Girls NJ women's riding club encouraging more
Wendy has been an MSF instructor since 2020. Wendy is Paul Huelsenbeck's sister. They are our first brother/sister instructor team. She also has a strong background in fundraising and grant writing and handles all of our fundraising and grant programs. She is also a member of the Garden State Girls NJ women's riding club encouraging more women to ride. Wendy got into riding because her husband didn't want her on the back of his motorcycle.
Marc Saleh
Wendy Baytan
Wendy Baytan
Marc has been an MSF instructor since 2012. He has over twenty years of riding experience. Early in his riding career, Marc was the Safety Officer of a motorcycle club providing helpful riding tips and strategies to its members and constantly stressing continued riding skill development. He has also participated in track schools and trac
Marc has been an MSF instructor since 2012. He has over twenty years of riding experience. Early in his riding career, Marc was the Safety Officer of a motorcycle club providing helpful riding tips and strategies to its members and constantly stressing continued riding skill development. He has also participated in track schools and track days to hone his riding skills. Marc is a licensed New Jersey Professional Planner and certified national planner with over 30 years of experience. His job entails promoting economic development in cities, improving their municipal design, their transportation system and the environment.
Johnny Tsang
Johnny became an MSF instructor in 2016. He used to live in NY and taught the MSF courses there. He recently moved to NJ and works at Locomotion Powersports in Mahwah.
Rob McInerney
Rob became an MSF instructor in 2023. After retiring in 2018 from a 30-year career in financial services, he bought his first motorcycle in 2019, completed the BRC1 class with The Riding Academy of NJ a few weeks later and the hook was set. The second motorcycle was added to the garage in 2020. The biggest casualty of his motorcycle fixa
Rob became an MSF instructor in 2023. After retiring in 2018 from a 30-year career in financial services, he bought his first motorcycle in 2019, completed the BRC1 class with The Riding Academy of NJ a few weeks later and the hook was set. The second motorcycle was added to the garage in 2020. The biggest casualty of his motorcycle fixation has been his mountain biking and road cycling. However, he still finds time to pursue his passion for auto racing and also instructing drivers who are new to high-performance driving on closed tracks.
Rob is originally from Staten Island and currently lives in Randolph with his wife and 2 daughters.
Jan Eggers
Jan Eggers
Jan became an MSF instructor in 2021.
He's been riding motorcycles for 30 years. It is his primary means of commuting year round. Jan has been around motorcycles his entire life having grown up on the back of one. He enjoys touring, local rides, and adventure touring having completed part of the NEBDR and the MABDR this past year.
Lou Pisano
Lou became an MSF instructor in 2024. It all started for him when he took several MSF courses many years ago, which quickly transformed him into a motorcycle enthusiast.
Lou is a retired CPA and enjoys training and mentoring company employees. He also teaches accounting classes.
He also enjoys hiking, road bicycling, traveling with his fam
Lou became an MSF instructor in 2024. It all started for him when he took several MSF courses many years ago, which quickly transformed him into a motorcycle enthusiast.
Lou is a retired CPA and enjoys training and mentoring company employees. He also teaches accounting classes.
He also enjoys hiking, road bicycling, traveling with his family and teaching people how to ride a motorcycle and ride it safely.
Stephen Cheung
Stephen became an MSF instructor in 2024. Since getting his start at a MSF course in 2008, his passion for motorcycling has expanded to cover all types of two-wheel fun including long distance touring, track, offroad, Supermoto, Motogymkhana, and helping new riders begin their own moto journey. Stephen works in the healthcare industry
Stephen became an MSF instructor in 2024. Since getting his start at a MSF course in 2008, his passion for motorcycling has expanded to cover all types of two-wheel fun including long distance touring, track, offroad, Supermoto, Motogymkhana, and helping new riders begin their own moto journey. Stephen works in the healthcare industry specializing in strategy and analytics for patient support programs. He is married and has two daughters.
Paul Park
Paul became an MSF instructor in 2024. He is an avid motorcyclist that became instantly hooked ever since his first BRC course back in 2010. As a firm believer of proper training, Paul had been contemplating becoming an MSF motorcycle safety instructor for some time. He found his resolve to follow through with this aspiration upon losin
Paul became an MSF instructor in 2024. He is an avid motorcyclist that became instantly hooked ever since his first BRC course back in 2010. As a firm believer of proper training, Paul had been contemplating becoming an MSF motorcycle safety instructor for some time. He found his resolve to follow through with this aspiration upon losing his younger brother, who was a police officer, to a motorcycle accident in 2023. He believes one of the best ways to honor his brother's legacy and their shared love for riding is by helping novice riders develop good habits and mindset at the outset and is thrilled that he found an entire group of like-minded individuals at RANJ. Paul is a consultant and project manager for a tech company and lives in Bergen County with his wife, Cathy.
Troy Weygandt
Troy became an MSF instructor in 2024. He is a Production Team Leader at Hubbell Power Systems and a real estate agent for Coldwell Banker. Troy has also competed in several strong man competitions. He became an instructor because he taught himself how to ride and wants to teach others how to ride the correct way so they don't make the same mistakes he made.
Alex Zarenin, Ph.D.
Alex Zarenin, Ph.D.
Alex got his motorcycle license in 1980 in Kiev, Ukraine and rode all over Ukraine on his Jawa-350. After moving to America, he got his motorcycle endorsement in 1998 becoming a weekend rider on his GS-750. He stopped riding for a few years but decided to come back to his passion in 2023. Understanding that his skills got rusty, he took a
Alex got his motorcycle license in 1980 in Kiev, Ukraine and rode all over Ukraine on his Jawa-350. After moving to America, he got his motorcycle endorsement in 1998 becoming a weekend rider on his GS-750. He stopped riding for a few years but decided to come back to his passion in 2023. Understanding that his skills got rusty, he took a couple of classes at The Riding Academy of NJ and plans on becoming an MSF instructor.
Alex holds a doctorate in Computer Science from NYU and taught classes there in the 90’s. He currently works for Amazon AWS as a solution architect, teaches computer classes at Caldwell College and is our Range Aide.
David Campos
Our Teaching Process
Our Expertise
David became an MSF. instructor in 2024. He got his motorcycle license in France and is a dedicated rider with over 20 years of extensive experience on both street and track. With a sales background and over 10 years experience as a dance instructor, David blends creativity and adaptability into his unique coaching style. Passionate about
David became an MSF. instructor in 2024. He got his motorcycle license in France and is a dedicated rider with over 20 years of extensive experience on both street and track. With a sales background and over 10 years experience as a dance instructor, David blends creativity and adaptability into his unique coaching style. Passionate about safety, David focuses on helping new riders build confidence and have serious fun while staying safe on the road.
Our Expertise
Our Teaching Process
Our Expertise
Our team is made up of experienced professionals with teaching backgrounds who are experts in their respective fields. From CEOs to Ph.Ds., teachers to trainers, we have the knowledge, expertise and skills to help you succeed and be safe on the road.
Our Teaching Process
Our Teaching Process
Our Teaching Process
We take an adult-learner approach to teaching, using a high level of engagement with powerful mental techniques that other motorcycle schools don't use. We continuously monitor and optimize our teaching process to ensure that our students get the best possible results.
Tina Johnson
Frieda Triebel
Frieda Triebel
Tina is one of our Staff Members. She answers most of our emails. (We get about 75 emails a day).
Frieda Triebel
Frieda Triebel
Frieda Triebel
Frieda is another one of our Staff Members. She returns our phone calls.(We get about 50 phone calls a day). Frieda is also a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker.
Frieda Triebel
Our team of award-winning instructors must attend workshops at least once a year on MSF Instructor Development, Adult Learning and Coaching to further develop their knowledge of the MSF curriculums they teach and how to present the material in ways that will help our students learn how to ride a motorcycle, ride it safely and retain the i
Our team of award-winning instructors must attend workshops at least once a year on MSF Instructor Development, Adult Learning and Coaching to further develop their knowledge of the MSF curriculums they teach and how to present the material in ways that will help our students learn how to ride a motorcycle, ride it safely and retain the information for years to come. We maintain high standards for our instructors. If an instructor used to teach for us and now teaches for another motorcycle school in NJ, it's because we cut them loose. They didn't measure up to our high standards.