Know limitations, stay alert for safe motorcycle ride

  • Published
  • By John Ingle
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  Bennie Brashear hopped on the motorcycle he had just finished repairing and took it for a spin to make sure everything was working right.

The training manager for the 382nd Training Squadron here has been riding since he was 15 years old and drove a 30-mile paper route. As he was test-driving the repaired bike, the one thing most motorcycle riders dread appeared in front of him: A car driven by an unaware driver.

The driver began to turn in front of Mr. Brashear, stopping just before it was too late. Mr. Brashear said he used a predetermined "escape route" to handle the situation.

He said he knows that even with his 35 years of experience, riding a bike is still a learning process. In this case, riders always have to watch out for other drivers.

"(That driver) told me if I would've had my headlight on, he would've seen me. That taught me a lesson," said Mr. Brashear, a member of the Sheppard Riders Association.

All too often, young riders think nothing will happen to them because they have been through safety courses and are riding with experienced riders, he said.

"Some of these guys think since they are riding with guys with years of experience, they can just jump on a motorcycle and ride like (the more experienced riders) do," he said. "My advice for younger riders is (not to) drive past (their) limitations."

He recalled an incident in 2003 when a group of riders was riding south of nearby Wichita Falls. One of the young riders took a corner too fast and took a spill on the recently paved road.

Mr. Brashear said although the rider received minor injuries to his elbows and a knee, the incident could have been prevented.

"I really think a lot of the accidents are due to inexperience," he said. "Going around a curve and (losing) control -- that's inexperience."

People should not be lulled into complacency thinking they are safer riding motorcycles on base, he said.

Master Sgt. Diane Payton, a military training leader in the 361st TRS, was riding her motorcycle here and was behind another motorcycle at the time.

She said she noticed a car leaving a parking lot, and the driver was not paying attention. Sergeant Payton said the driver was focused on the lead bike.

The driver then pulled out in front of her, she said.

"I was about 10 feet behind the first bike, and I saw the driver's head following the bike in front of me when he started pulling out," she said. "I hit the brakes and missed side-swiping him by about a foot."

She said she was wearing all of the required protective equipment, an orange reflective vest and had her headlights on.

Safety courses, protective equipment and experience are important in making young riders good riders, Mr. Brashear said. It is part of the motorcycle mentoring program under way in the Air Force.

More than anything else, Mr. Brashear said knowing limitations and remaining aware of the surrounding environment, such as road conditions and other drivers, are the keys to having a safe and enjoyable ride. (Courtesy of Air Education and Training Command News Service)