Whiteman hosts motorcycle safety day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joel Pfiester
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  A great man once said, "if you're not first, you're last," and "I want to go fast!"

Although these are brilliant excerpts, when it comes to driving a motorcycle, they are certainly not words to live by.

Whiteman Air Force Base's held its annual Motorcycle Awareness and Safety Day April 7, providing motorcycle riders and enthusiasts with a chance to socialize with other riders, learn more about motorcycle safety and participate in some friendly competition.

"This event gives the motorcycle safety representatives a chance to capture the information on any new riders in their respective units," said Tech Sgt. Marvin Morris, president of the Green Knights Motorcycle Club. "The event also serves as a great networking tool for the riders on base to meet one another and learn about the Green Knights."

One of the main causes of motorcycle accidents is riders being overly confident in their abilities, or pushing the boundaries of what they or their bikes are capable of according to Morris.

"I would say the most common mistakes made by motorcycle riders would be riding outside his or her limits," Morris said. "Either riding too aggressively for the conditions, or not attaining adequate training to learn how to properly deal with various situations."

Wearing proper protective equipment while operating a motorcycle and abiding by speed limits can limit the possibility and severity of injuries, Morris said.

"The injuries can vary greatly depending on speed," Morris said. "But the most common would be the road rashes and abrasions from a low slide fall while riding."

Other than safety briefings and riders showcasing their motorcycles, there was also a familiarization course called Grant's Gauntlet.

"The purpose of the course is to give the base riders a chance to familiarize themselves with their motorcycles after the long winter break," Morris said. "The course simulates some of the more difficult skills a rider may encounter on the road, but in a controlled environment."

Approximately 20 different riders completed Grant's Gauntlet.

"We created two categories, sports bikes and cruisers," Morris said. "We gave each rider two opportunities to ride through the course and we kept their best time."

Grant's Gauntlet provided competition and excitement but the highlight of the day was a ride out to Higginsville, Mo.

"My favorite part would have to be the ride out to Higginsville Veterans Cemetery," Morris said. "Each year the Green Knights lead a mentorship ride out to Higginsville and volunteer to clean all the headstones, and clean up the grounds surrounding the graves of all the veterans buried there."

As the weather continues to warm up, and summer approaches, the Motorcycle Awareness and Safety Day was a chance for riders to brush the snow off their motorcycles, refresh themselves on motorcycle safety and begin riding again.

"On behalf of the Green Knights I would like to thank all of the individuals that participated in support of the event," Morris said. "Without your contributions this event would not have been such a success."