Alamo Wing motorcycle safety monitor talks safety, certification

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Collen McGee
  • 433rd Airlift Wing
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Tech. Sgt. David Miller gets paid to fix or create parts for Air Force C-5's. As an Air Reserve Technician, he gets to do that job full time. In his off-duty time he is a motorcycle rider and knows that no amount of machinist expertise will fix a rider after an accident. That knowledge and his own enjoyment of riding past time lead him to an additional duty at the Alamo Wing that will work at preventing accidents. 

Sergeant Miller, the Alamo Wing motorcycle safety monitor, recently earned his certification to teach the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's basic riding course. The course is required of all Airmen who ride on base and is the standard the Air Force has chosen to use for safety. 

"It is a civilian certification but the Air Force uses that," said Sergeant Miller. "They went with MSF in 1995." 

The class is nationally recognized and instructors can teach anywhere in the continental United States, on base or off. Even the course where the class is taught has to be certified. Those standards are designed to help all students become safe riders no matter where they start in personal riding ability. 

"Classes start at the very beginning," said Sergeant Miller. "If you don't even know what a motorcycle is, it starts right there. Even if you know how to ride, you have to have the MSF card to be able to ride on base." 

Sergeant Miller explained there is also a course designed for more advanced riders and he is certified to teach that class too. Each course is about 15 hours long and can be taught in 2-3 days. In fact, the MSF web site lists only one prerequisite: "students must be able to ride a bicycle." 

"We want to teach people that you can get out on a bike and you can be safe," said Sergeant Miller. 

But even the safest rider, doing everything right and wearing all the right safety gear, can be seriously hurt or killed in an accident. It is also up to other traffic to ensure they are aware of the motorcycles on the road. For Airmen, that means bringing the Wingman concept out on the road with them. 

"Don't take for granted that everything's a car," said Sergeant Miller. "We're thinner, skinnier and it's harder to see us. Be on the lookout for motorcycles."
Some of the things drivers need to be aware of about motorcycles include the basic following distances. 

"The two second rule is always a good rule to follow," said Sergeant Miller. "Just after it rains it's slicker for a car or a motorcycle - give more than a two-second window."
Sergeant Miller, as the safety monitor, also said there are opportunities within the wing to be a motorcycle wingman within each squadron. 

"Experienced riders can be monitors or alternates," said Sergeant Miller. "If interested, go to your unit commander." 

Sergeant Miller also has plans to expand the role and make the program more robust in the future. 

"We will be developing mentors later as part of the program," said Sergeant Miller. "Look for us at Family Day. We will have a table with information and there will be a photo opportunity in front of a C-5 with the bikes and our proper safety gear." 

The courses, according to Sergeant Miller, can cost about $180.00 off base, while on-base it is free to Airmen. Those who complete the training may find they also qualify for a discount on their insurance rates.  To sign up for either the basic or advanced class, or to get more information, call the Lackland motorcycle safety liason at 671-5025.