Team Seymour observes Motorcycle Safety Month

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Marissa Tucker
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --   The month of June not only begins the summer season, it is also Motorcycle Safety Month and Team Seymour ensured riders maintained their "Safety First" attitude as they travelled on and off base, June 23.

Command Chief Master Sgt. Blake Malpass along with several chiefs and first sergeants performed safety checks for every incoming and outgoing motorcyclist to promote Motorcycle Safety Month and also to ensure Airmen adhere to standards daily, Chief Malpass said.

"We checked the bikes out to make sure they were safe. We also looked for any indication that maybe they're not the best rider in the world. If there were a lot of scratches and scrapes, we talked more about how they are riding."

The safety inspections included viewing the bike's tread wear, a visual check of the overall condition of the bike, proper personal protection equipment and asking riders what they should check before they ride. They also checked for possession of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation card each rider is given upon completion of the mandatory motorcycle safety course offered here.

"Once the students actually go through the MSF rider course, it teaches them the basic skills to be safe out on the road and decreases accidents," said Tech. Sgt. Bradley Humphrey, motorcycle safety instructor here.

The Department of Defense requires all employees to wear long sleeved shirts and pants, Department of Transportation-approved head gear, reflective vests or belts, gloves and close-toed boots when operating a motorcycle. While the long list PPE may seem like a hassle to some, it is quite a worthy hassle in the event of an accident.

"There's not a whole lot of forgiveness when you're on a motorcycle and you meet the pavement," Chief Malpass said. "If you're not properly protected in PPE, it can be a life changer."

Because of the rise in motorcyclist on the road during spring and summer months, it is important not only for riders, but other motorist to also stay aware of their surroundings to prevent accidents.

"Most people don't have wrecks as much as they get hit because they weren't aware of their surroundings," Chief Malpass said.

Airmen at Seymour Johnson are at an advantage in the riding world because the motorcycle safety course required here has bikes available. The course is open to Airmen, DoD civilians and dependents who are interested in taking the first or last step in learning how to ride properly. First timers and those looking to go back to the basics are encouraged to sign up for the three-day course.

"The joy of being in the Air Force today is that our motorcycle safety courses on base have their own motorcycles so if anybody's thinking about learning to ride a motorcycle, come and take the course on base because it's not your bike, you don't tear [your own] bike up learning," Chief Malpass said. "We'd much rather you scratch our bike than go try to ride a bike downtown in an uncontrolled environment and wreck, get killed or severely injured."

Although June is Motorcycle Safety Month, wing leadership wants to emphasize the importance of vehicle safety year-round. In addition to motorcycles, a policy letter is set to be released soon on the proper wear of protective gear while operating scooters and mopeds on base. While DoD regulations require Airmen to adhere to certain guidelines, in the end, a safe ride will come down to the rider.

"You can send individuals through the course and they can learn all the basic essential skills here to learn how to ride a bike, but they have to apply [the knowledge] and believe that they want to ride safe out on the roads. If they do that, then they'll be safe," Sergeant Humphrey said.

For more information or to sign-up for the Motorcycle Safety Course, call (919) 722-4222.