BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. –
Welcome to summer 2008 and the beginning of the Air Force 101 Critical Days of Summer, which officially begins May 23 and ends Sept. 2.
Beale AFB is kicking off the summer with a Safety Fair at the Community Activities Center from noon to 2 p.m., Friday, May 16. There will be plenty of free food and information on how to make summer fun and safe. All Beale Airmen and their families are welcome.
Northern California offers many fun things to do, but please do them smart and safe. Remember to A.C T. all summertime activities.
A - Assess the Risk
C - Consider options to limit unnecessary Risk
T - Take appropriate action
According to the Air Force Safety Center, during summer 2007, the Air Force had 19 fatalities compared to 17 during 2006. Motor vehicle fatalities accounted for most of the losses, with eight mishaps due to cars and other four-wheeled vehicles, and another six due to motorcycles. Some factors in these mishaps included speeding and not using seatbelts or helmets. Alcohol was a factor in two incidents.
Interest in motorcycle training and riding this year has increased, possibly due to higher gas prices. For people thinking about buying a motorcycle simply to save gas, joining a van pool may be a better alternative.
Motorcycles actually require more maintenance than cars. For example, motorcycle tires need to be changed approximately every 10,000 miles and cost over $600; car tires are changed every 30,000 to 60,000 miles and cost around $400. Motorcycles are serviced every 1,000 miles and easily run over $500 at the dealership; cars are serviced every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. (See the total cost comparison below)
Motorcycle riding is a dynamic environment. All riders should be acutely aware of the risks. Just when a rider thinks they've seen it all, they see something new. Nearly every rider has a "there I was" story of an actual or near accident.
If riders follow these basic rules, they'll live to tell about it:
1. Don't mix motorcycling with ANY intoxicant. This includes alcohol, prescription or over the counter drugs that may cause drowsiness, or fatigue.
2. Speed and Tricks Kill, plain and simple. Follow the speed limits, keep both tires on the pavement, and don't weave in and out of traffic.
3. Ride a Zone defense. Riders have four zones around the bike when riding: Front, Rear, Left, and Right. Keep at least one zone open for an escape maneuver.
4. Keep the motorcycle well maintained. Riders should check the bike often; their life depends on it.
5. Attend motorcycle training!
Beginning riders need to attend either the free on-base "Motorcycle Rider Course" or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's training at Yuba College or Sierra College. Contact Wing Safety at 530-634-1930/1933 to schedule a class or for more information.
All Airmen who operate a motorcycle, both on-or-off duty and on-or-off base, must attend an approved motorcycle rider safety course. DoD civilians who ride while on duty, either on-or-off base, are also required to attend training. Retirees, contractors, dependants, and all other non-Air Force civilians who operate a motorcycle on base are required to attend an approved motorcycle rider safety course. All riders must display the Air Combat Command Form 15 decal on the front left portion of their motorcycle to ride at Beale.
In seven years, the Air Force lost 122 Airmen in motorcycle accidents, according to the Air Force Safety Center. The common thread; nearly all received the required Motorcycle Safety Foundation hands-on-training - skills that taught them how to ride within their limit, but all ignored the lessons learned and paid the ultimate price for it. Attend the motorcycle training, listen up, and use the training to stay safe.
Riding within a rider's skills means more than just controlling the motorcycle; it means being in control of the riding environment by Accessing risk, Considering options and Taking action. Ride Smart - ACT!
For questions or more information, contact the 940th Safety Office at 530-634-1930/1933.
Saving a buck? Not so fast
If you think you're going to save fuel by riding a motorcycle, you're right, you are, but in the long run, you're really not going to save any money.
Below is the cost comparison for one year of maintenance and gas between a car and a motorcycle. This information is from local motorcycle and auto dealers, and is based on 15,000 miles of driving and dealer servicing.
2006 mid-size sedan
Factory recommended annual service = $525
10,000 mile service
One additional oil change
33% use of a set of tires/brakes
Reasonable gas consumption = $2,142
15,000 miles at $4 a gallon (28 miles per gallon average)
Total annual cost for mid-size sedan: $2,667
2001 motorcycle (all bikes are approximately the same)
Factory recommended annual service = $2475
A 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, and 15,000 service
Three additional oil changes
1 1/2 sets of tires/brakes
Gas consumption = $1328
15,000 miles at $4.25 a gallon (48 mpg premium gas only)
Total annual cost for motorcycle: $3,803
That's an annual savings of $1,136 for driving a car versus a motorcycle. That's before purchase price and insurance are factored in!
If a motorcycle owner does their maintenance, the equation changes, but not by much, since bike tires are a huge expense and don't last as long as a car.
The bottom line:
A motorcycle won't save you money in comparison to a car. Join a van pool if you really want to save money.