Motorcycle riders required to take safety course, wear proper protective gear Published June 9, 2006 By 2nd Lt. Tristan Hinderliter 92nd ARW Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- As summer nears, the weather warms up, and gas prices near $3 a gallon, some Fairchild airmen may be thinking about a motorcycle. Airmen riding motorcycles is becoming a hot topic in the Air Force, said Roshied White, ground safety NCO at the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, due to the dangers of riding and increased awareness of the need for proper training. There are several training and licensing steps Airmen need to take before they start riding a motorcycle, he said. First of all, the person must own a bike. “Buying the right bike is an important consideration,” said Sergeant White. “Some are not for beginners.” First-time riders may find themselves surprised by the power of today’s high-end motorcycles, said Col. Scott Hanson, 92nd ARW commander, an experienced motorcycle rider of 30 years. “We frequently see serious injuries to novice riders who have not taken the time to prepare themselves to operate a challenging, sophisticated piece of equipment,” he said. “You wouldn’t go out and jump in an airplane if you didn’t know how to fly,” the colonel said, noting that the Air Force sends officers to pilot training for a year before they are qualified to fly. Once the individual has a bike, he or she must go to the Department of Motor Vehicles to apply for a permit. To be granted the $15 permit, the individual must be at least 16 years old, have a valid Washington driver’s license, and pass a written test on motorcycle operation. Insurance is not required for motorcycles in Washington; however, all military members are still required to be insured. Then, every Airman must take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation-approved course in order to ride their motorcycle, said Sergeant White. The course is offered on base and is free to all military members, dependents and retirees. The two-day Basic Rider Course is for inexperienced riders. “This course will take anybody off the street and teach them the basic skills they need,” said the sergeant. The one-day Experienced Rider Course teaches advanced skills on avoiding dangers in traffic, recognizing hazards, and how to get around those hazards, Sergeant White said. Courses are normally offered weekly, but due to a current shortage of instructors, they are being offered once a month. Once the sign-up sheet has been routed through supervision and signed-off on, it is treated as a mandatory appointment. “We have really good instructors with years of experience,” Sergeant White said. “They will teach you how to avoid dangerous situations and if you do get in, how to get out safely,” Either certification will allow the rider to get on and off base, provided they have the proper Personal Protective Equipment. According to Air Force Instruction 91-207, riders must wear a protective helmet with either a full face shield, goggles, or approved shatter-resistant glasses marked with Z87 on the frame. Riders must also wear a long sleeve shirt or jacket and long trousers, full-fingered motorcycle gloves or mittens, sturdy footwear, and brightly-colored or contrasting vest or jacket. Any rider without the proper protective gear will not be allowed on base. After obtaining their certification from the base, the rider must then take their certificate back to the DMV to obtain a motorcycle endorsement on their license – the cost is $20. At this point the rider will be fully certified to ride both on and off base. For more information, please contact 92nd ARW Ground Safety at 247-4809.