Motorcycle Safety from Head to Toe
Make Sure Your Spring Ride is Enjoyable—and Safe

The last time I went out on a motorcycle, it was a beautiful spring day. A friend and I rode to a park with very little traffic there and back. It was perfect. For some, the feeling of riding is exhilarating and unparalleled to most experiences.

As the ice and snow melt and the temperatures start to climb, many Airmen may want to hit the pavement on two wheels for a spring ride like the one I had. The Air Force, knowing the risks, seeks to impart its extensive knowledge on motorcycle safety before that happens.

You have probably read the statistics and know the general danger associated with riding a motorcycle. You may not know that, in 2019, Air Force motorcycle fatalities decreased 69 percent to a record-low four fatalities for the fiscal year.

As Michael Eckert, Air Force Safety Center’s Chief of Traffic Safety and Outreach Branch, recently told a reporter, “one loss is too many†when it comes to motorcycle fatalities. But with 22,000 riders in the Air Force in 2019, “four fatalities … is phenomenal.â€

Did motorcycle riding become less dangerous? Not necessarily. The Air Force Safety Center’s motorcycle safety program has proven to be effective in reducing motorcycle fatalities and lost time due to injuries. In 2019, lost time injuries fell from 224 to 131, another record low.

Not only that, Airmen have also increasingly applied the tips from their motorcycle training during their rides. Did you know that, since 2013, the Air Force Safety Center has required training for beginning and intermediate riders and refresher courses for experts every 5 years? If you ride or aspire to ride, the first step before hitting the road is to make sure your training and certifications are up-to-date.

To do that, you will need the right equipment and bike. Air Force Safety Center motorcycle training experts can steer you in the right direction to selecting a bike that fits your body and your needs. If you already have a bike, make sure it is in good condition before taking it out.

A safe motorcycle rider wears long pants and a jacket with padding and gloves, the proper footgear, and a well-fitting helmet that allows good visibility. It is no time for vanity (looking at you for not wearing a helmet in Top Gun, Tom Cruise). Wearing this gear can prevent motorcycle injuries, from road rash to concussion, and even death, and is required for Air Force riders.

Before you set off, make sure you drink plenty of water and are well-rested, making you more alert to the road and other drivers. This alertness is vital, especially when riding a motorcycle. Plan your route on a day with good weather (no rain, heavy winds, flooding, etc.) and let someone know your plans.

If possible, ride with your buddy to increase your visibility on the road and ensure you can get help if an emergency occurs. Maintain a safe speed and distance and avoid maneuvering around cars in traffic. It may be exciting to ride fast and attempt to weave in and out of traffic between the lanes, but those are risks that ultimately are not worth it.

This should go without saying, but if you ride to a bar or to a friend’s place to drink, make sure you have a designated driver instead of getting behind the handlebars. Drinking and driving reduce your alertness and impairs your ability to react quickly.

Motorcycle safety is not just for those who ride. If you are an Airman who prefers to drive another type of vehicle, you should take precautions while sharing the road with motorcyclists. For instance, be aware of any motorcyclists on the road. Be a good wingman and give them a wide berth and a greater braking distance than you might with a car. The extra consideration allows a rider more time to react in case something goes wrong.

Admittedly, you can do everything right and still get into an accident on your motorcycle. Unavoidable accidents happen, and the Air Force understands that. Motorcycle safety is doing all that is in your power to avoid the avoidable because that is all you can do.

The next day that it is 65 degrees out, the sun is shining behind some clouds, and the roads are clear, I hope you take these safety tips and go on a ride for a couple of hours. Enjoy the riding season!