HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- As warmer weather approaches, base safety officials remind personnel to take the proper safety measures when riding, while continuing to keep COVID-19 response measures in mind.
Safety officials encourage all military riders regardless of experience to attend an approved rider course. They suggest the best option is to go through the registry of motor vehicles or home state for licensing for first-time riders.
“The basic course covers the fundamentals of operating a motorcycle and offers safety-oriented mental strategies for new riders,” said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Gransbury, Occupational Safety and Health noncommissioned officer in charge.
The cost of the basic course is no longer reimbursable for Hanscom AFB active duty personnel. For those military members who attend the basic course, they are required to complete intermediate training 60-days to one year after.
The “Advanced Rider Course,” which fulfills the intermediate training requirement, is reimbursable.
According to the Hanscom Safety SharePoint site, Title 10 active duty Air Force personnel assigned to Hanscom, active duty members at tenant units and those administered by Hanscom and assigned to local colleges, are able to seek reimbursement.
The list of approved courses is also located on the Safety SharePoint site, or riders can reach out to the Safety Office to be sure before registering.
According to Gransbury, many of the motorcycle safety courses are not available at this time given real-world events.
Civilian motorcycle operators must adhere to local state laws. An additional requirement for military motorcycle riders at Hanscom is typically the annual pre-season briefing.
“This briefing would normally coincide with a Green Knights Military Motorcycle Club mentorship ride and would include a refresher training as well,” said Gransbury. “However, due to recent real-world events, the refresher briefing will be emailed to Hanscom riders.”
According to Air Force Instruction 91-207, unit motorcycle safety representatives must track unit motorcycle, motor scooters and three-wheeled vehicle riders at 49-cylinder capacity or higher. Base Safety tracks attendance of motorcycle training and provides risk management awareness to military personnel.
"Active duty Airmen riders must also make contact with their unit motorcycle safety representative and be entered into the Air Force Motorcycle Unit Safety Tracking Tool," Gransbury said. "A documented briefing in [the tracking tool] with their commander is required within 30 days of arrival at Hanscom or within 30 days of deciding to become a motorcycle rider."
In addition, AFI 91-207 and Department of Defense Instruction 6055.04 require that military and civilian motorcycle operators and their passengers wear proper protective clothing while operating on a military installation.
“For military personnel, the protective clothing requirement remains in effect off the installation, and it is highly encouraged for civilian riders,” said Gransbury.
Personnel can learn more about these topics at the Safety Office’s secure SharePoint site
To find a local motorcycle safety course, visit https://www.msf-usa.org/ or https://massmotorcycleschool.com.
For information about motorcycle safety at Hanscom, or about the reimbursement process, contact the Safety Office at 781-225-5584 or 66.abg.se.cmb@us.af.mil.