Motorcycle training required to ride on base Published April 25, 2017 By Mark Wyatt 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has designated May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Last year the Air Force experienced eight motorcycle-related fatalities. Safe riding practices and cooperation from all road users will help reduce that number this year. “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is an initiative aimed at getting motorists and motorcyclists to responsibly share the road with each other," said Shawn Rice, safety manager of the 66th Air Base Group Safety Office. As part of that monthlong effort, Rice reminds Hanscom’s motorcycle riders that they must attend a mandatory initial or refresher motorcycle-training course prior to operating one on base. Base safety personnel track attendance of motorcycle training and provide risk management awareness to military personnel. A "Basic Rider Course" and an "Advanced Rider Course" are reimbursable for Title 10 active duty Air Force personnel assigned to Hanscom, active duty military personnel at tenant units, as well as active duty personnel administered by Hanscom and assigned to local colleges. “The rider selects the required course and pays for it,” said Rice. “Once they attend and provide proof of successful course completion to the safety office, we will coordinate on the applicable forms and request reimbursement from finance.” The Air Force requires military riders who purchase a motorcycle attend the "Basic Rider Course 1" before riding on or off base. "After completing the 'Basic Rider Course' to receive their motorcycle license, riders are required to complete intermediate training 60 days to one year after," said Rice. According to Rice, the “Advanced Rider Course” fulfills the intermediate training requirement. Military members are then required to attend a refresher training session every five years. To find a local motorcycle safety course, visit https://www.msf-usa.org/. Safety officials also noted that all active duty Airmen must make contact with their motorcycle safety representative to ensure they are entered in the Air Force Motorcycle Unit Safety Tracking Tool, also known as MUSTT. Members must also have a briefing with their commander, an annual safety briefing and rider training documented in MUSTT. According to Air Force Instruction 91-207, motorcycle safety representatives track unit motorcycle, motor scooters and three-wheeled vehicle riders. In addition, AFI 91-207 and Department of Defense Instruction 6055.04 require that motorcycle operators and their passengers wear proper protective clothing while operating on a military installation; this applies to both military members and civilians. For military personnel, the protective clothing requirement remains in effect off the installation, and it highly encouraged for civilian riders. For further information on this monthlong initiative, visit http://www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/Motorcycles or for specific state motorcycle laws, visit http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Rights/State-Laws-Database. For further information about motorcycle safety at Hanscom, as well as for the reimbursement process, contact the Safety Office at 781-225-5584. Personnel may also visit the Safety SharePoint page at https://cs3.eis.af.mil/sites/24169/default.aspx and click on the "Motorcycle Safety" tab.