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Two wheels, double the risk

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jeff Parkinson
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  During the summer, in Florida, motorcyclists are often spotted cruising along the Emerald Coast.

For Air Commandos who take part in the sport, this means brushing up on motorcycle safety and a refresher on the regulations set forth by Air Force Instruction 91-207.

All military personnel, on or off duty, who operate a motorcycle on or off military installations are required to attend and complete an approved motorcycle rider education course before they can operate a motorcycle, according to AFI 91-207.

While riding on base, Airmen from the 1st Special Operations Security Forces Squadron can request proof of this training at any time.

For Air Commandos the only valid proof of training is a certified 1st Special Operations Wing Ground Safety AF IMT 483, according to a memorandum sent out by Col. Bill West, 1st SOW commander, in July 2013.

In addition to this training, Air Commandos are required to wear personal protective equipment in accordance to AFI 91-207.

· PPE #1 Head Gear: helmets come in all sizes, from extra-small to extra-large. When you purchase a helmet make sure it fits properly by trying it on, wear it around the store for a few minutes. The helmet should fit comfortably, neither too tight nor too loose. Full face helmets give the most protection since it covers the head and face. Also, all adult-sized helmets used by motorcyclists in the United States must be Department of Transportation compliant indicated by DOT sticker, according to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218.

· PPE #2 Eye protection: A windshield on a motorcycle is not considered eye protection according to the 1st SOW Safety Office. Proper eye protection means an approved shield on your helmet, a pair of goggles or shatterproof glasses.

· PPE #3 Protective clothing: Protective clothing is made from sturdy materials such as leather. According to the safety office, leather provides the rider the most protection when it comes to abrasion. Riders can purchase protective clothing that have ventilation to help keep cool during hotter months as well as gear that include bright reflective colors to help them stand out to other motor vehicles.

· PPE #4 Gloves and over-the-ankle boots: Motorcyclists are required to wear gloves when riding even in hot weather to protect the hands in the event debris is kicked up by other vehicles and to protect from abrasion when falling. Air Commandos are also required to wear over-the-ankle boots such as, uniform boots worn during the duty day. Boots should be made of sturdy material with non-slip soles to prevent sliding when stopped.

The safety office reminds all Air Commandos to watch for motorcycles.  Motorcyclists should also pay special attention in watching for cars.

For more information on Hurlburt Field's regulations and other safety tips contact your squadron's motorcycle safety representative.