Dyess makes MSF Sport-Bike Course mandatory

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Robert Hicks
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  From Jan. 1, 2011 to March 28, 2012, Air Force members have been involved in over 268 reportable motorcycle mishaps resulting in 17 deaths and over 4,252 lost work days.

According to the National Safety Council, a motorcyclist is 35 times more likely to be killed in an accident than a typical motorist.

To promote safe motorcycle riding, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, is becoming the first base in Air Combat Command to make the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Sport-Bike Course mandatory.

Dyess currently has 165 sport-bike riders. Of that, only 35 of the riders have completed the MSF Sport-Bike Course. Starting December 2013, every sport bike rider who rides on base must have taken the course.

"The goal is to provide riders with a way to further develop personal riding skills on their sport bike and reiterate strategies and decision-making abilities in a classroom setting to help minimize accidents," said Jack Wylie, 7th Bomb Wing deputy chief of safety.

Each class supports up to 12 students, with a minimum of eight required to hold the training.

The classroom segment focuses on the behavioral aspects of riding such as attitude and personal risk assessment, and includes discussions about braking proficiency, cornering techniques, traction management and characteristics unique to sport bikes. The hands-on range session builds on these topics by providing riders the opportunity to develop and improve skills in braking, cornering and swerving.

"The concept we teach in the sport-bike course is a great concept, but they're never riding at normal highway speeds," said Lt. Col. Keith Green, 317th director of staff. "The riders are in a parking lot going 15-30 mph. You can do a lot in that area, but you don't get the true handling capabilities you would get going 75 mph around a horse shoe exit."

According to the Center of Disease Control, the cost of motorcycle crashes is not just measured in bodies, loss and grief. Motorcycle crashes consume public funds for emergency response, emergency room costs and insurance premiums. The economic impact from crash-related injuries and deaths in one year alone totaled $12 billion.

Dyess hasn't had a motorcycle fatality since April 2010.

Service members are required to wear an approved Department of Transportation helmet, approved safety goggles, glasses or face shield, long pants, foot wear covering the ankle, gloves and a long sleeve brightly colored upper outer garment for daytime and it must be reflective at night.

"Motorcycle safety is part of a never-ending process of self improvement," Wiley said. "To enjoy riding for many more years to come, you cannot become complacent about your skill level, no matter how long you have been riding."

Contact your local safety office to find out more information about the Experienced Riders Course and the Basic Motorcycle Safety Course.