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Safety course required for military motorcyclists

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tristin English
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
Some people love fast cars, trucks or dirt bikes, but others love the open road, feeling the wind blow past them while driving down the highway. As the cold starts to disappear, more motorcycles start to show up on the roads. Not only should vehicles be aware of motorcyclists, but motorcyclists should also be observant of other vehicles around them as well.

The motorcycle safety course on base is designed to help military members learn the basics of operating a motorcycle, making the best choices while riding, the proper equipment to wear and how to be aware of your surroundings. 

Riding a motorcycle requires more skill than driving a car or truck. All riders should get to know their bike by reading the manual and going to an empty space to practice safe driving techniques. Riders should know their own limits as well as the bikes. All vehicles follow the same traffic laws so motorcyclist should remember to abide by them.

Motorcycle Safety Foundation training is required for all military personnel riding bikes on or off the installation, on duty or off. There are three courses to choose from before people are able to ride their motorcycle. The Basic Rider Course, which helps out individuals just learning how to ride; the Basic Rider Course II which is for those who have been riding long enough to where the basic course would not apply to them, and the Sport Bike course, for those who have a sport bike.

"Our basic course helps the beginner riders learn the basic skills they need to stay safe on the roads. Without some fundamental knowledge of proper cornering, braking, and hazard avoidance, a novice rider is taking a terrible risk on the roadways, especially here in the St. Louis area," said John Medford, lead MSF rider coach. "During training gaps many riders forget the lessons they have learned and develop bad habits. This is especially true of fair-weather, casual riders. The drills we use in the refresher courses help knock off the rust from their skill sets. We also emphasize to riders how critical risk management and mental preparation are to riding safely."

Military riders and passengers, riding on or off base, are required to wear mandatory motorcycle Personal Protective Equipment all of the time, and civilian riders must wear the same gear while riding on base, which includes: Department of Transportation approved helmet, shatter resistant wrap around glasses or goggles, long sleeved outer upper garment, long pants, full fingered gloves and sturdy over the ankle footwear. Upper garments must be fluorescent during the day and reflective at night for Air Force military personnel and civilian riders on base.

Marilee Reuter, Safety deputy chief, said, "If a person approaches the gate without the proper gear, they are denied access to the base. If a rider is caught by SFS without the proper gear, they are ticketed and the ticket goes to their assigned unit. If a rider is caught by Safety without the proper gear, we contact their commander and first sergeant."

Military members are required to take a motorcycle safety course to ride on or off base. Recent changes to the DODI 6055.4 require all military riders to complete an initial course and a follow-up course within one year, then once every five years.

Motorcycle safety courses are designed to give riders of all levels the skills to enjoy the ride, while ensuring they do not put themselves or others in harm's way.

Scott Air Force Base offers courses throughout the riding season. Contact your motorcycle safety representative to sign up.

The safety office is available to answer questions at 256-6311.