Motorcycle safety hot topic for Critical Days of Summer

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Candy Miller
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  As temperatures rise during the season and about 600 Sheppard motorcycles riders appear on the roads, motorcycle safety becomes a focus for the Critical Days of Summer.

Ground Safety Manager Mark Schaffer, 82nd Training Wing Safety Office, said there have already been 10 fatalities Air Force-wide since the beginning of the spring safety campaign and all Sheppard members, not just motorcycle riders, need to be aware of the safety issues.

"Car drivers have as much responsibility in motorcycle safety as the rider," he said. "Everyone should be aware, share the road and be on the lookout for each other."

He said there have been several recent cases in which the rider did everything right, but a car caused an accident.

"Not all drivers are looking for motorcycles," he said. "When you're changing lanes, don't just glance in the mirror. Turn your head because there could be a motorcycle in your blind spot."

Mr. Schaffer said Sheppard has made several efforts to put a "big push" towards motorcycle safety. He said one of these endeavors is to provide a motorcycle training course for riders of sport bikes planned to start at the end of July.

"The only way a new rider gets skill is through training. They should never try to ride a motorcycle until they've been properly trained," Mr. Schaffer said. He also said novice and experienced riders should attend the monthly meetings of Sheppard's chapter of the Green Knights Military Motorcycle Club.

President of the Green Knights Master Sgt. John McFadden said the Green Knights cater rides to the experience level of the rider. He also said it's important for riders to only do what they are trained to do.

"If it's an inexperienced rider, we're not going on a coast-to-coast trip, we build up the rider's confidence until they can move on," he said. "We also match novice riders with experienced riders of the same bike type to help guide and mentor."

Mr. Schaffer said in the past three years, Sheppard has reported 13 motorcycle mishaps. Two of these were Class A, fatalities or permanent total disabilities, and the other 11 were Class C or D mishaps, in which the motorcyclist lost duty time as a result of the mishap.

The last fatality to a Sheppard member on a motorcycle was on August 30, 2008.

The next monthly meeting for the Green Knights will be June 13.

For more information about motorcycle safety contact your unit motorcycle safety monitor.