BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. –
Halloween is past, and winter will soon be upon us with the colder mornings, icy roads and fog. Rain is already predicted for our November unit training assembly weekend. It's a big change from the warm sunny days, and brings new safety concerns.
Another big change Dec. 1, 2008, is to the Beale AFB motorcycle safety program. Now you're asking yourself, December -- motorcycle safety -- most people don't ride motorcycles in the winter. Or do they?
I can assure you they do and, in fact, I have as well. The change for Beale AFB riders is the Air Combat Command Form 15, "ACC Trained Motorcycle Rider" sticker required and displayed on your bike.
ACC Supplement to Air Force Instruction 91-207 requires that after completion of a required motorcycle safety course, all Department of Defense civilian workers and military employees display this form to gain base access.
The proper place to display the sticker is on the left side of the bike, preferably on the front fork. This puts it in a place that is easily viewed by the gate guard. If you do not display the AF Form 15 on your motorcycle, you may be denied access to the base or possibly receive a ticket.
Please see your unit safety representative (USR) or unit motorcycle mentor (UMM) for the ACC Form 15 requirements, and then come by the wing safety office to be issued the form.
While we're talking about motorcycle safety, here are a few more important tips:
· You must wear personal protective equipment, and wear it correctly.
· Wear a brightly colored upper garment or vest, and in periods of darkness, it must be reflective.
Air Force Reserve Command is providing free biker vests and gloves, and I should receive a limited number for distribution, hopefully about 15 sets. Our wing's UMMs will probably have first crack at getting them, so sign up to be a Unit Motorcycle Mentor today, after that I'll distribute them to the UMM's and allow them to distribute them as they see fit.
I am a long time rider, well over 100,000 street miles to my credit. I've always told other riders if someone has not tried to run you over out there yet, they will, so be prepared and keep your situational awareness up.
So in closing, please get trained, stay alert and never ride impaired. We need you here in our wing, and most importantly, your families need you. It's a dangerous time of year, and the holidays are fast approaching. Let's work together to make them safe and happy.