Motorcycle course aimed at reducing fatalities

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. James M. Hodgman
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  In 2008, 126 servicemembers, including 15 Airmen were killed in motorcycle accidents ... most of them involving sport bikes. From 2006 to 2008 motorcycle mishaps claimed the lives of almost 300 military men and women. This is a trend the Air Force is committed to stopping. 

Offutt's first military sport bike safety course was offered here June 18. Airmen traveled from near and far to attend the class; some from as far away as Italy. 

The sport bike class was offered with three separate sessions over a period of nine days. The class was made up of students who wanted to learn how to safely operate a sport bike as well as student instructors who will take what they've learned at Offutt and teach fellow servicemembers at their respective bases. The course was free to all participants as the Air Force Safety Center covered all costs . 

By training Airmen how to safely operate a sport bike the Air Force is working to reduce motorcycle fatalities and mishaps, said Dan Maham, deputy chief of ground safety with the AFSC. 

"In 2007, 89 percent of motorcycle fatalities were the result of sport bikes," Mr. Maham said. Eighteen Airmen were killed in 2007 in motorcycle accidents; of those fatalities 16 were sport bike related. 

So far this year 15 Airmen have been killed in motorcycle accidents with 11 involving sport bikes. There have already been 137 non-fatal motorcycle mishaps this year. 

"Sport bike mishaps are increasing at an alarming rate and one tragic loss affects many people and seriously affects the Air Force mission," Mr. Maham added. 

In an attempt to reduce motorcycle fatalities and mishaps the Air Force is implementing the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Military Sport Bike Rider's course. According to the AFSC, every October major commands will be queried to select installations to host MSRC workshops. The AFSC will support as many courses as possible based on locations, available ranges and funding. 

Dave Halen, a chief instructor with the MSF of Nebraska, said it's important to teach people how to safely operate a sport bike. 

Too many times youthful minded people purchase sport bikes and wind up showing off to their friends or find themselves in a dangerous situation without knowing how to remove themselves from it, Mr. Halen said. "That's why it's vital to teach the techniques we teach in the sport bike class." 

Throughout the course, students learned how to properly brake, swerve and corner. Each class consisted of eight hours of training. Half the day was spent in the classroom and the other half was spent on the motorcycle range, where students worked to hone their skills. 

One student, an avid motorcycle rider, as well as a motorcycle safety representative for his unit, said the sport bike class was very beneficial. 

"After taking this course I'm more confident and I believe the course made me a better mentor," said Staff Sgt. Thomas W. Vitulli Jr, a network analyst with the 97th Intelligence Squadron. 

During the class, instructors spent a great deal of time focusing on preparing to meet hazards and minimizing risk, Sergeant Vitulli said. This was essential because sport bikes are designed to be able to maneuver quickly with little throttle or steering input. 

Sergeant Vitulli also liked the classroom discussions. 

"The round table discussions we had on riding physics and safety were key to the course," Sergeant Vitulli said. "The discussions enabled us to talk about things we couldn't practice on the range such as factors that may lead to a crash, like poor tire condition and lane position." 

Preparing riders to meet the hazards of roadways is a large part of the course and for good reason, said Mr. Halen. 

"Airmen are getting killed every day because they're not able to stop in time, they can't swerve to avoid a collision and because they don't know how to corner properly," Mr. Halen said. "With the sport bike safety class we stress the importance of controlling the motorcycle, proper braking skills, swerving skills and cornering ability." 

Mr. Halen encourages anyone with a desire to ride a sport bike or any motorcycle to take a safety course first. 

"The military trains its people how to handle firearms and explosives. People should approach sport bikes with the same discretion," Mr. Halen said. 

For more information on the sport bike rider course or other motorcycle courses offered at Offutt, contact the 55th Wing Safety Office at 294-6357.