Warm weather brings motorcycle riding season, safety awareness

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Adawn Kelsey
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The weather is warming up at Sheppard, and so is the motorcycle riding season. With more and more riders out there, Team Sheppard is encouraged to think safety before, during and after hitting the roads.
The 82nd Training Wing safety office is a great way for any rider to find information, checklists and riding classes for any experience level rider.
Mark Schaffer, 82nd Training Wing ground safety manager, said a new rider's first step should be to stop by the Wing Safety Office in Bldg. 634, Monday-Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and sign up for the MSF basic rider course.

"The course is free to any military member assigned to Sheppard," he said. "Department of Defense civilians may also attend if they operate their motorcycle in the performance of their official duties."

Mr. Schaffer said even experienced riders who do not have any MSF training, and need the MSF experienced rider course, can stop by to sign up at no charge.

"Potential riders must get the course sign-up letter and information from us first, or else they will be required to pay out of their own pocket," he said. "Those folks signing up directly at a local college or via a motorcycle shop or dealership will be liable for their own training expenses."

He said this year all drivers should be on the lookout as there may be more riders on the road than previous years.

"Many folks are looking to get into motorcycle riding for the first time and we're seeing an increase of motorcyclists this spring," he said. "This is likely due to the rising gas prices and the overall popularity of motorcycling."

"Just using your mirrors while making lanes changes, for example, could put you at risk of striking a lower-profile motorcycle in the adjacent lane of travel. Each year...even here on Sheppard AFB...we have vehicle versus motorcycle collisions, most of which end up being the fault of the vehicle operator.

While preparing for the season, rider can find a very useful inspection checklist on the Motorcycle Safety Foundation website in the library section at www.msf-usa.org.
For more spring motorcycle information visit the 82nd TRW safety office Community of Practice at https://afkm.wpafb.af.mil/community/views/home.aspx?Filter=OO-SE-AE-34 or call the safety office at (940) 676-4149.