Motorcycle training required before riding at Hanscom

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Motorcycle riders here must attend a mandatory initial or refresher motorcycle-training course prior to operating on base, according to 66th Air Base Group safety officials.

The Air Force requires all military riders who purchase a motorcycle to attend the "Basic Rider Course" before riding.

“The initial course covers the basics of operating a motorcycle and safety-oriented mental strategies for riders,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Gransbury, Occupational Safety and Health NCO in charge. “The cost of the course is no longer reimbursable for locally-assigned active duty personnel.”

Once the course is completed, riders are then required to complete intermediate training 60 days to one year after. The “Advanced Rider Course” fulfills the intermediate training requirement and is reimbursable, according to Gransbury.

The advanced course is 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.

“Once riders attend and provide proof of successful course completion to the Safety office, we will coordinate on the applicable forms and request reimbursement from Finance,” said Gransbury.

To find a local motorcycle safety course, visit https://www.msf-usa.org/.  

Base safety personnel track attendance of motorcycle training and provide risk management awareness to military personnel.

Military members are also required to attend a refresher training session every five years.

Base safety officials note that, in addition to attending training, 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 attend a briefing with their commander and have it 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 is highly encouraged for civilian riders.

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 https://cs2.eis.af.mil/sites/12410/Motorcycle%20Safety/default.aspx for additional rider information.