Motorcycle safety course helps Team MacDill develop skills in safe, fun learning environment

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman David Minor
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. --  The Kawasaki ZZR1400 can reach zero to 60 in 2.5 seconds. Imagine it taking longer to read this statement than it would for the bike to reach 60 miles per hour. 

With this type of speed, it's important for someone to take a motorcycle safety course before taking to the streets. 

MacDill has just the thing for bike enthusiast. 

There are motorcycle safety courses offered on base that provides active duty, guard and reserve service members and DoD civilians the rider training they need to make sound judgments when using their motorcycles on the road, said SSgt. William Linney, 6th Air Mobility Wing ground safety technician. 

The course is free of charge due to the mandatory requirement to attend for active duty and DoD civilians to ride their bikes on base, or off base in an on-duty status, he added.
According to the Florida Rider Training Program's Web site, off base classes can range any where from $60 up to $300 depending on where take the course is taken. 

"To sign up for the course, motorcyclists should get in touch with their unit's motorcycle safety representative or contact the 6th Air Mobility Wing Safety Office at 828-3385" said Sergeant Linney. 

There are two Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses offered to MacDill motorcyclists, he said. The Basic Rider Course , which last two days, not only offers hands on experience, but also classroom training that goes more in depth on riding safety. The Experienced Rider Course, which lasts approximately seven hours, delivers the basics safety guidelines of motorcycle operation. Both of these courses cover riding strategies such as how to handle traffic hazards and works on developing cornering, braking, and swerving skills. 

Since bikes are getting faster and faster and newer models become available each year, it is up to the motorcyclist to ensure that he or she stays safe while driving. 

The motorcycle safety course offered here at MacDill ensures that the right tools are available to encourage drivers to practice safety not only on but off base as well. By understanding the way a bike works and knowing the way to properly wear the protective gear, motorcyclist can reduce accidents and save lives.