Airmen ride a path to safety

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lauren M. Sprunk
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  For some, riding on two wheels provides a rush of excitement. It heightens their senses, allowing them to feel everything, from the weather around them to every bump or curve in the road. They’re one with nature and more connected to the road than ever before.

To ensure this exhilarating moment is not the rider’s last, the Moody safety office provides a 2-day Basic Rider’s Course in which Airmen can learn proper riding techniques in a controlled environment before their first ride.

"Before we started this program, Airmen would go out and buy motorcycles, never get trained and get into a bad accident,” said Bert Stamm, 23d Wing chief of occupational safety. “Since the inception of this program in 2003, we have seen fewer accidents occur and haven’t had a motorcycle related fatality at Moody.”

According to Stamm, the reason they have seen this drop in the number of motorcycle accidents is because the course not only teaches students how to handle their motorcycle, it focuses on how to react when the unfortunate occurs.

"When it comes to other drivers on the road, there’s a big word called conspicuity,” said Stamm. “Conspicuity means that a car driver’s brain is automatically searching for another bigger vehicle, not something smaller such as a motorcycle. A rider could be wearing the brightest colors and they still won’t see you because that’s just how their brain is wired.

“With the skills that we give to the students, they are able to either avoid the accident or at least lessen the impact,” said Stamm.

While teaching students how to react, they also try to instill a sense of humility among the riders.

“During the course, I learned to be confident in my skills and be ready to react, but also understand that there are many things that are out of a rider’s control,” said Senior Airman Kyle Saunders, 23 Wing broadcast journalist and recent student of the basic rider’s course. “The day that you think you’re good to go and nothing can go wrong is the day that something will go wrong.

“Even if you’re an experienced rider, you’re only as safe as you can make yourself which is why the instructors preached ATGATT during the course, which means ‘all the gear, all the time,’” Saunders added.

The Air Force requires motorcyclists to wear over the ankle protection, long pants, long sleeves, an approved helmet, and eye protection or a face shield. Students wishing to take the course are required to have all required safety gear, as well as proper documentation.

“Before taking the course, members must receive a high-risk motorcycle briefing by their supervisor as well as their commander, which needs to be documented on a high risk activities form,” said Stamm. “In addition, they must set up a MUSTT [motorcycle unit safety tracking tool] account, which tracks all the training documentation for a rider, as well as information on their motorcycle.”

At the end of the course, students are tested and evaluated on their ability to perform various maneuvers. Upon passing the evaluation, students are awarded a waiver which allows them to bypass the need for a motorcycle permit and go straight to receiving their motorcycle license. However, if a member has a driver’s license from another state, they will need to petition their department of transportation before receiving their motorcycle license.

After completing the Basic Rider’s Course and receiving a motorcycle license, riders move on to the experienced rider’s course and the advanced rider’s course, where they will receive more in-depth training using their own motorcycle.

“You need a foundation before you can build a house, and this situation is not any different,” said Saunders. “I feel that the basic rider’s course gave me the specific skillset needed to at least have a solid start but by no means am I a professional rider by passing that course. Every course you go to just builds on what you’ve learned before and safely pushes your limits so that you can be as prepared as possible when you’re riding.”

To sign up for a training course or for questions, contact the safety office at (229) 257-3781.