Motorcycle safety course teaches lifesaving skills

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman
  • 81st Training Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  The basic motorcycle safety course, facilitated by the 81st Training Wing safety office, is offered twice monthly for Airmen and civilians needing certification to ride on base.

The course is two days long and consists of both classroom and outdoor instruction from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. With a maximum of six riders with a single instructor, and 12 if there are two instructors, learning is personal and hands-on.

"Older riders can help the newer people, and the newer people remind the older riders of rules they may have forgotten over time," said Randy Logan, 338th Training Squadron airfield systems instructor. "Everybody has something to learn from the course."

Logan became an instructor for the course through training from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, which sent its own instructors to certify interested riders at Keesler.

After the morning classroom portion of the first day, students meet in the Dragon Fitness Center parking lot for practical application through several different scenarios. Logan briefs the riders and then demonstrates before they make their attempt. The second day offers a little more practice, then requires a written and riding test to pass, said Logan.

Riders must provide their bike for the beginner's level course.

"The course is required for those that want to ride," said Bryan Bailey, 81st TRW ground safety officer. "But even if it wasn't, the knowledge the course offers will benefit any rider."

For more information, call 228-377-2007