Riding with the Military
Monday May 18, 2009
I’ve reported on startling statistics and track day pilot programs for military motorcyclists, but recently I had the opportunity to experience firsthand how the Motorcycle Safety Foundation is helping the armed forces stay safe on two wheels.
The Military Sport Bike RiderCourse I attended at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, California wasn't limited to one particular bike type, and our small group of soldiers rode everything from an Electra Glide to an R1. We started off with risk assessment exercises and classroom instruction, followed by an afternoon of practicing bike control technique-- all that stuff that looks easier to do than it actually is.
Armed with a new Honda CBR600RR equipped with ABS, I must say I had an unfair advantage during the threshold braking portion of the proceedings. But by the end of the day, we all had a sharper command of our bikes and more awareness of how to stay safe on the road-- skills that drastically increase your chances for survival.
Year-to-date motorcycle deaths in the Navy have dropped from 13 to 6 since the training program was implemented, and the program is spreading even further throughout the military. The great thing is that you don't need to be a soldier to enjoy the benefits of safety training; if you're interested in becoming a better rider, I encourage you to find a RiderCourse class at the MSF's website.
Related:
Photos © Basem Wasef; click to enlarge
Comments
In 2008 over 5,000 people were killed riding motorcycles of different kinds.
A major Motorcycle accident study analyzed information from thousands of accidents, drew conclusions about the causes and looked for ways people can avoid accidents.
The three big issues that stand out for me are:
1.Vehicle failure accounted for less than 3% of all motorcycle accidents, and most of those were single vehicle accidents where control was lost due to a puncture flat.
2. Approximately three-fourths of all motorcycle accidents involved collision with another vehicle, which was most usually a passenger automobile.
3. Roadway defects (pavement ridges, potholes, etc.) were the accident cause in 2% of the accidents; animal involvement was 1% of the accidents.
Training and lower speeds are critical in the end to to minimize collision with automobiles. Slower speeds will allow for greater reation times for both the automobile and motorcyle operators.
Brian R. Callahan
Orlando, Florida
Brian,
Do you have a link for that report? Thanks,