Rev up your motorcycle safety

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Maurice A. Hodges
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  According to a recent study by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics there has been an increase in motorcycle sales in the United States.

As the popularity of motorcycles is revving up across America, Airmen are putting their bikes on the pavement and pushing the throttle, but before partaking in two-wheeled transportation, riders should keep safety in mind.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are 25 times more likely to experience a deadly accident on the road than those riding in cars.

With these statistics, both novice and experienced riders should make their safety a number one priority.

"Dangers are always around motorcyclists," said Senior Master Sgt. Michael Vore, 184th Intelligence Wing air transportation superintendent, and motorcycle safety rider coach. "You have to drive like no one sees you. You have to identify the hazards on the road in order to avoid them."

The 931st Air Refueling Group Safety office says that Airmen riders are required to get properly trained licensed and wear all protective gear at all times to reduce potential problems. Motorcyclist should also ride unimpaired by alcohol or other drugs and know their own skill limits to be safe and responsible while on the road.

"I enjoy the freedom of getting out in the wind even though there are dangers. Protection benefits me if I fall," says Staff Sgt. Percy Butler, 22nd Communications Squadron NCOIC of network operations. "Since I am a supervisor, if I don't ride safely it would affect everyone around me: my wife, my two kids and the airmen under me."

According to Air Force Instruction 91-207, Airmen riders must wear the following protective items:

· Department Of Transportation approved helmet
· Long sleeved shirt or jacked
· Long trousers
· Full-fingered groves or mittens
· Foot and ankle protection
· Riding apparel must be high visibility colors

Airmen can, along the journey of motorcycling, pick up key safety habits on the way keep them present while on the road.

For more information, Airmen should reference Air Force Instruction 91-207, The U.S. Air Force Traffic Safety Program or call the safety office at (316) 759-3216.