Riders pack auditorium for motorcycle safety class Published April 10, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Jake Eckhardt 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Team Scott employees nearly filled the Base Auditorium to be trained on proper motorcycle safety rules and procedures April 4 for Motorcycle Safety Month. The training covered many subjects such as motorcycle safety courses, Personal Protection Equipment, risk management and weather. Thomas Miles, 375th Air Mobility Wing Safety deputy superintendent, said, "We designed the course so that everything relates to the prevention of motorcycle mishaps." 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. Contact your motorcycle safety representative to sign up. Military riders are required to wear required motorcycle PPE 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 on or off base and for civilian riders on base. Motorcycle inspections and scheduled maintenance are highly encouraged before the riding season begins. "Our riders could fall subject to mistakes that are easily preventable," Miles said. "Mistakes on motorcycles could easily lead to serious injury or death." The safety office is available to answer questions at 256-6311.