Motorcycle safety courses offered at JBSA Published May 23, 2019 By Mary Nell Sanchez 502d Air Base Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Motorcycle enthusiasts can enjoy the ride and keep the road safe for everyone with courses offered here. When someone gets behind the handlebars of a motorcycle, it’s recommended they go through a checklist. “I check the weather more often if I’m going to ride,” said John McLaughlin, 502nd Air Base Wing occupational safety specialist. “I do an inspection of my motorcycle a lot better than I do my car.” McLaughlin estimates about seven-thousand motorcyclists ride within the JBSA community and before they are cleared for the road, the Department of Defense mandates they enroll in a motorcycle safety program. A basic rider course is offered three times a month. “The basic rider course starts out in the classroom,” said Tech. Sgt. Ryan Wakerlig, 502nd ABW occupational safety technician. “It’s like a crawl, walk, run, training environment. They start out with the controls of the motorcycle; learning exactly which ones do what.” While lessons are taught in a parking lot, students will eventually learn the basics of how to take their ride to the open road. “We’re teaching them how to transfer these skills at slow speeds to higher speeds,” McLaughlin added. Because conditions can change at a moment’s notice, motorcyclists need to keep practicing as they gain experience. “If I’m riding down the street, I’m looking for escape paths, traps and any other hazard,” Wakerlig said. “It helps seal it in my mind a little bit better.” Often times, other motorists are what motorcyclists need to look out for. “As a motorcyclist, we always want to be aware of other cars that are around us that are not able to see us,” McLaughlin said. “If you get into an accident with another vehicle, the motorcyclist is 83 percent more likely to die in that accident.” Once basic skills are tackled, two other motorcycle courses are offered to continue arming a rider with proper defense tactics on the road. The basic rider course part two is taught once a month and the advanced rider course is also taught once a month. “Keep practicing; go through different scenarios in your mind,” Wakerlig said. “Be sure you stay ahead of the game.” Practicing safety and staying sharp are essential tools to stay safe on the road. “Make sure you have all your gear and you are also in the right state of mind,” said McLaughlin. “Don’t get on the bike angry, depressed; anything that would hinder your ability to operate the vehicle.” Distractions could easily turn a regular motorcycle ride into a dangerous one. “You need to be focused 100 percent all the time on that bike,” Wakerlig said. To sign up for courses, go to the jbsa.mil safety page. Certified courses are free of charge and are conducted at JBSA-Lackland Medina Annex.