Riding with proper equipment is essential

  • Published
  • By Staff Reports
  • 90th Missile Wing Safety
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Warmer weather means people will be getting their bikes out of winter storage and hitting the roads. The 90th Missile Wing Safety Office wants to remind bikers of a few rules to live by this riding season.

"All military personnel who ride motorcycles need to complete a motorcycle safety foundation course," said Troy Weaver, 90th MW traffic safety manager. "Civilian employees who wish to ride their bikes on base must also complete the course."

Military personnel must attend the course regardless of whether they ride on base or off.

The course is optional for military dependents, retirees and contractors. However, the wing will pay for active-duty dependents on a priority basis.

"Our first priority is active duty personnel and our civil servants," Mr. Weaver said. "But, we want our dependents to get this training as well, and we'll pay for it whenever we can."

The MSF course is a three-day course that includes both classroom and hands-on training. The Wyoming Department of Transportation provides the training for the base.

"The state has been great in supporting the base," Mr. Weaver said.

The base gets two slots out of every 12-person class held weekends at the WYDOT complex. He acknowledged that this can cause base personnel to wait for a class slot. However, when the backlog gets too large, the state will come on base to train people exclusively. Twenty-four people can get trained over a three day period. Personnel who need training should contact Mr. Weaver at 773-2430.

Mr. Woods, 90th MW ground safety manager, wants all personnel to remember the rules for personal protective equipment.

"Besides training, wearing proper PPE is the most important thing a motorcyclist can do to protect themselves," he said.

Personal protective equipment includes an approved helmet, and eye protection in the form of goggles, shatter proof glasses or a full face shield. The required glasses are wrap-around glasses designed for motorcycle riding and can be found in most stores and Web sites. Other required PPE is a long sleeve jacket or shirt, long pants, full-finger gloves, and over-the-ankle footwear.

The most confusing thing for riders is the requirement for an upper garment as outlined in AFI 91-207. The instruction says, Motorcycle riders will wear a brightly colored outer upper garment during the day and a reflective upper garment during the night.

"This can be pretty confusing," he said, "because everyone's interpretation of bright is different."

To clear up any confusion, Col. Greg Tims, 90th MW commander, approved a poster that highlights what is approved or not approved.

"This makes things a lot easier," Mr. Woods said, "Now all anyone has to do is look at this graphic to find out if they are in compliance or not."

The poster is available with each unit motorcycle safety representative, is posted at all gates and can be obtained from Wing Safety.

"Military personnel need to know that these PPE requirements apply both on and off base," Mr. Woods said.

Wyoming does not require riders to wear a helmet.

"But, military personnel do not have that option. They must wear every bit of PPE required by the AFI all the time," he said. Personnel with questions about motorcycle safety rules or training can contact Wing Safety at 773-3439.