Motorcycle safety course provides valuable insight to riders

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Luke W. Nowakowski
  • 460th Space Wing Public Affairs
An Advanced Riders Course for motorcycle riders is being offered June 1 and 26, July 10, 17, and 31 at the Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, Co.

The course should be completed within 60 days of the initial motorcycle safety training; however, it must be completed within one year of initial training. Refresher training for motorcycle riders must be completed every five years and ARC will meet this requirement.

According to Gregory Q. Walker, Buckley AFB safety and occupational health manager, military and DOD civilians will have priority for these classes; however, if all slots are not filled, the remaining slots will be opened to DOD retirees, dependents, and contractors. Once we have received your units list of personnel requiring training, our office will contact the individuals via email with a website link to sign-up for the course.

Tech Sgt. Carlos Rogers, NCO In Charge of ground safety here at Buckley Air Force Base, wants riders to know the benefits of the course and its importance to service members.

"Motorcycle training raises awareness of making poor decisions while operating on the roads," Rogers said. "Riders will learn techniques on minimizing risks, operation of different kinds of motorcycles, their controls, inspections, and the importance of personal protective gear.  Additionally, personnel will learn how to create a firm strategy dealing with normal as well as critical traffic situations."

This course educates riders on correct procedures when operating a motorcycle, but is also important because it fulfills the requirements needed to operate a motorcycle as a service member.
 
"In accordance with AFI91-207, The US Air Force Traffic Safety Program, military personnel, who operate or intend to operate a motorcycle on a road way will successfully, complete motorcycle safety training," Rogers highlighted. "Last year in CY14, the Air Force experienced 235 mishaps involving motorcycles.  Out of the 235 total mishaps, 17 were fatalities.  Last year, Buckley AFB experienced 5 motorcycle mishaps and 3 of 5 were fatalities.  The goal of motorcycle training is to help protect personnel from injury or death by managing risks on and off-duty."