Safety coordinators assist Tinker bikers

Published March 26, 2010
By Mark Sprayberry
72nd Air Base Wing Safety Office

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Air Force Instruction 91-207, U.S. Air Force Traffic Safety Program and its Air Force Materiel Command supplement, require squadron commanders to appoint a unit motorcycle safety coordinator to act as their right-hand person in managing the motorcycle safety program. Their job is to help the commander ensure the required training is obtained, licensing and registration issues are resolved and "at risk" riders are identified. They maintain a roster of all unit riders (both military and civilian), track refresher training and conduct briefings and other activities related to motorcycling.

As far as the 72nd Air Base Wing Safety Office is concerned, the unit coordinators are the focal point to get rider-specific information out to all base riders. This information may be new riding gear requirements, new training courses available or activities coming up. The safety office is also planning a monthly newsletter for riders.

There are questions each spring concerning the "brightly colored outer garment." The requirements have not changed, but there is a lot of confusion on this issue. Paragraph 3.4.2.4.5 of AFI 91-207 states, "riders will wear a brightly colored upper garment during the day and a reflective upper garment during the night. Outer garment shall be visible and not covered. Wearing a back-pack is authorized if it has bright colors /reflective properties."

This paragraph is specifically ambiguous to allow riders flexibility in choosing riding gear that fits their style. Black leather and Harleys go together, so the Harley orange vest is a great option. Sport bikes and bright colored leathers or Cordura suits make a statement. The wording here allows you to be seen in traffic as well make the appropriate statement. The better the gear you have, the better your chances are if you are not seen in traffic.

New training classes are surfacing all the time. This year, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation has produced the Military Sport Bike Rider Course. This one-day class is directed at the unique handling characteristics of the fastest growing segment of the motorcycling community. Tinker's active duty population has first dibs on this one, but the safety office is taking civilians on a space-available basis. Organizers say riders will come away with a better understanding of your ride, its cornering capabilities and how to stop quickly without fuss.

Responsible riding is stressed throughout the program. Sport bikes are fast. The place to find out how fast is on the track, not on the street, and local venues are discussed, said officials. The MSRC is one class that meets the mandatory reoccurring training requirement (AFMC Sup 1para 4.6.3.1) for personnel under 26 years old. The Experienced Rider Course does as well.

Upcoming activities include an opening day event tentatively scheduled for May 7, rides organized by the coordinators, participation in the Tinker Riders and Mentors Club, events showcasing Tinker rider's motorcycles (like Summer Bash), the National Ride-to-Work day (June 21) and other activities that USMCs can come up with.

The coordinators may be contacting you, "Joe Rider," about articles for the newsletter. If you found a great new road, attended an outing or event that everybody should know about or took a class that taught you a skill that everybody needs to know, submit it. The newsletter will be what you make it.

Your unit coordinator is a great asset for the motorcycling community. Talk with them about all your motorcycling needs.

Listed below by organization are current USMCs:

· OC-ALC/EN, Patricia Cole

· OC-ALC/FM, Roger Robinson

· OC-ALC/PK, David Craiger

· OC-ALC/JA, John Gatlin

· OC-ALC/XP, David Buchanan

· 76th AMXG, Tech. Sgt John Zentner

· 76th CMXG, Terry Valdez

· 76th PMXG, Scott Crandall

· 76th SMXG, Danny Holloway

· 76th MXW, Wayne Smith

· 327th ACSG, Ray Cantwell

· 556th ACSS, Shawn George

· 557th ACSS, Jack Robar

· 558th ACSS, Richard Dunbar

· 427th ACSG, Mike Kreft

· 639th ACSG, David Hake

· 827th ACSG, Brandon Raley

· 72nd MSG, Tech. Sgt. Eric Barnett

· 72nd FSS, Senior Airman Christian Bennett

· 72nd SFS, 1st Lt. Adam Phillips

· 72nd OSS, Master Sgt. Samuel Pugh

· 72nd MDG, Melissa Eckford

· 72nd CE, Richard Wright

· 448th SCMG, Chuck Chestnut

· 552nd ACW, Maj. Steve Watson

· 3rd CCG, Tech. Sgt. Todd Waldrop

· Navy, Curtis Murchinson

· 38th EIG, Brian Betourney

· 498th MSUG, Matt Matheson