AFFTC Ground Safety office hosts motorcycle day Published May 6, 2009 By Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Military and civilian motorcycle riders gathered at the base theater May 6 as part of the Air Force Flight Test Center Safety Office annual mandatory safety briefing. The event included briefings from Los Angeles Police District, the Edwards motorcycle club Muroc Green Knights and Ground Safety. "I believe in American freedom and the freedom to ride on two wheels," said Maj. Gen. David Eichhorn, AFFTC commander who is also a motorcycle rider. "But we have to take certain things into consideration to make sure we all do it safely." Ground Safety hosted the event due to an increase in motorcycle accidents and incidents not only in the Air Force but also across the Department of Defense "This helps reemphasize basic motorcycle driving techniques and provide a better understanding about motorcycle safety," said Alan Lederman, AFFTC Ground Safety specialist. People ages 18 to 26 are the most prone to motorcycle incidents in the Air Force, Mr. Lederman said. In general, some of the most common motorcycle incidents and accidents include cases in sport bike riding, and crossing intersections. "What we've seen in the Air Force, and this is also applicable to other services, is an increase in sport bike riding incidents because speed is a factor," he said. "Unfortunately when people get onto their bikes, they try to negotiate curves and turns at high rates of speed and end up going off (the road) and becoming an injury or fatality." Motorcycle riders should be more aware of other vehicles when they come to an intersection. "Just because you got the green light or you are not at a stop sign, don't think it is a requirement for the other vehicle to stop," Mr. Lederman said. "The other vehicle might blast on through. We've seen a lot of those cases in the Air Force." To prevent these mishaps, riders must understand traffic conditions as well as their riding capabilities, he said. They also need to be more defensive drivers and ensure they are wearing proper gear. "When you are on a motorcycle, you don't have that much protection other than your personal protective equipment, such as your helmet, gear, boots and gloves," said Mr. Lederman. "All of these are requirements to wear." Some of the topics discussed include motorcycle statistics in the Air Force and other services, California driving experience, proper use of helmets and its benefits, and DoD motorcycle rider requirements. The Muroc Green Knights discussed their mission as well as their various programs. Prior to the event, some Edwards riders also received an opportunity to get together for "Wing and a Prayer" and talk about motorcycle experience. According to Mr. Lederman motorcycle safety is important because it ensures the protection of the riders as well as other people. "You have to be careful out there," General Eichhorn said. "Motorcycles are inherently more dangerous than cars. You have to pay more attention and you have to drive defensively."