Motorcycle rider courses offered to Airmen

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The Air Force has experienced 13 motorcycle related fatalities since Oct. 1, 2014 - the same number as it did all of last fiscal year. In an effort to ensure that number doesn't increase, Air Force officials are reminding riders that they must attend mandatory initial or refresher motorcycle training.

With motorcycle riding now in full swing, officials warn that operating a motorcycle is among the most dangerous activities to participate in.

"We're halfway through the summer riding season, which is an important milestone since we often see a surge in fatalities during the second half of the season," said Shelly Kelley, 66 ABG ground safety manager. "Whether riding a motorcycle or competing in a triathlon, water skiing or just relaxing at the pool, personnel need to have the right personal protective gear as well as the right mindset."

At Hanscom, 66th Air Base Group Safety officials track attendance of mandatory motorcycle rider course offerings and provide risk management awareness to personnel.

A "Basic Rider Course" and an "Advanced Rider Course" are now available free to active duty Air Force personnel assigned to Hanscom, active duty military personnel at tenant units, as well as active duty personnel assigned to local colleges who are administered by Hanscom.

Kelley notes that these training sessions are mandatory for all military motorcycle riders assigned to Hanscom.

The Air Force requires military riders who purchase a motorcycle to attend the "Basic Rider Course 1" before riding on or off base.

"After completing the 'Basic Rider Course 1' to receive their license, riders are required to complete intermediate training 60 days to one year after," Kelley said, adding that the Advanced Rider Course fulfills the intermediate training requirement.

For those interested in attending the "Advanced Rider Course," Kelley said only one session remains this riding season, scheduled for Aug. 26 at Fort Devens, Mass.

She said that the advanced course is open to the following personnel in the order of precedence: active duty, Reserve, Guard, Defense Department civilians, retirees and military dependents. Riders may sign up for the course at www.capefoxtraining.com.

After completion of the basic and intermediate courses, riders then must attend a refresher training session every five years, she said.

All active duty Airmen must make contact with their unit motorcycle coordinator, Kelley said, to ensure they are entered in the Air Force Motorcycle Unit Safety Tracking Tool, also known as MUSTT. Members must have a briefing with their commander, an annual safety briefing and rider training documented in MUSTT.

In addition, Air Force Instruction 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 and civilians. The protective clothing requirement is the same for military personnel off the installation.

Kelley points out that a motorcyclist is much more vulnerable than a passenger vehicle occupant in the event of a crash.

According to research from the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are more likely to die in traffic crashes than occupants in an automobile.

For further information about motorcycle safety 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.