Safety courses key to safe motorcycling Published April 9, 2012 By Senior Airman Ethan Morgan 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs RAF MILDENHALL, England -- It's that time of year when the weather becomes warmer and motorcycle riders are seen on the roads more often. The Air Force requires all members who operate motorcycles to attend an approved motorcycle safety course prior to riding. The course provides riders with basic riding skills so they can operate their motorcycle safely. "Motorcycle riders are a small populace in the Air Force but they're a large percentage of off-duty private motor vehicle mishaps," said Staff Sgt. Cody Hobart, 100th Air Refueling Wing ground safety. "Motorcycle riders are so much less protected than car drivers, their training and wearing protective gear is absolutely imperative." According to the Air Force Instruction 91-207, The U.S. Air Force Traffic Safety Program, Air Force members must wear a helmet, eye protection, a long sleeve garment, long pants, full fingered gloves and sturdy over-the-ankle footwear while riding. Upper garments are required to incorporate high visibility colors during the day and have a reflective surface at night. While stationed in the United Kingdom, new motorcyclists must attend the Motorcycle Safety Foundation basic riders course. Airmen who have already attended the BRC and have a motorcycle endorsement on their driver's license must attend an advanced MSF course. Hobart said the BRC course consist of classroom instruction and a hands-on portion that focuses on straight-line riding, turning, shifting, and stopping, while the advanced rider courses add to the skills previously learned in the BRC course. "A big concern for all motorcycle riders are the vehicles operating in the vicinity of them," said Hobart. "Motorcyclists need to be prepared for the unexpected, like a vehicle pulling out in front of them or a vehicle entering a motorcyclist's lane. Motorcyclists can reduce this hazard by positioning themselves where vehicle operators will see them the best." Local hazards that riders should be aware of are wildlife and blind curves, along with avoiding riding while tired. "They say that every rider will have some sort of accident eventually," said Lt. Col. Michael Bennett, 100th Comptroller Squadron commander. "I had an accident in 2010, in which I was very fortunate to only sustain minor bruises." Bennett said the accident immediately put his personal motorcycle skills and thought processes towards safe riding into perspective. "My accident was a direct result of three factors: riding while tired, improper group riding technique and limitation of my specific motorcycle," said Bennett. "Even though we were riding under the posted speed limit, those three factors led me to run off the road. Fortunately, by staying calm, I was able to recover enough to prevent what could have become a more serious accident." Motorcycle safety courses began in March and will continue until September with a minimum of two courses held each week. Members can sign up for a course by contacting their unit motorcycle safety representative.