Safety's always number one on a motorcycle

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nicholas Benroth
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  When riding a motorcycle, something you may think about is what the other person is going to do.

Safety is key when riding a motorcycle, but it is not only thing that the Rider Coaches teach at the motorcycle safety course on base.

The course is designed to ensure motorcyclists who ride on base have the complete knowledge and skill needed to ride safely.

"The basic course teaches the students the very basic of riding a motorcycle giving them the knowledge to operate a motorcycle safely," said Tech. Sgt. Joel Barnett 23rd Wing safety office NCO in charge of reports and investigations. "We try to teach the students the things they need to look for before going on a ride."

The Safety Office is currently offering a beginner and experienced course for current riders, or Airmen interested in becoming riders, that teach the proper tools to become a safe motorcyclist.

The Basic course is 15-hours and broken down into five hours of classroom instruction and 10 hours of hands-on training. Students learn everything from the correct protective equipment to the correct stopping distance for problem situations.

"After the basic course is taken it is strongly suggested that the riders come back for the experienced course," said Sergeant Barnett. "The Air Force instruction says that members should come back every three years to further their skills."

The experienced rider course is not just a refresher it adds to your skills of riding and can show where your skills are and what habits you have picked up.

"The course offers different hands-on training than the basic course would like avoiding an object with one hand on the wheel," said Sergeant Barnett. "We suggest that you come back six months after you basic course to see where you are at."

The Wing Safety Office offers the Basic course and the Experienced Rider course every month and will soon add the Sport Bike course for those who ride sport bikes on base.