Ride safe, drive smart, motorcycles are everywhere

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Warmer weather brings flowers, rain, outdoor sports and activities and even a few fatalities. With rising temperatures, many motorcyclists are knocking off the winter dust and heading off into the sunset on their two-wheeled iron stallion.

According to a 2011 study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 8 million motorcyclists are registered across the U.S., from those riders more than 4,000 have lost their lives. Forty-nine percent of those fatalities involved another vehicle.

"Motorcycle safety is not just the motorcyclist's, it is also a car driver responsibility as well. Motorcyclist's don't have a cage around them like a car driver, and in a vehicle accident are more prone to injuries or even fatalities," said Percy Adams, 2nd Bomb Wing Safety office. "According to data from the Air Force Safety Center, 18 riders died in fiscal year 2012. So far this fiscal year we have had nine rider fatalities since October."

With more than 32,000 motorcyclists in the Air Force and 623 stationed here, motorcycles are only a small percentage of vehicles on the road, but they are still there and drivers often forget about them.

"With a mindset focused around situational awareness, riders and drivers will become active not reactive," said Joseph Mueller, Barksdale Green Knights secretary. "Motorcycles are everywhere and many people forget that, until it's either too late or have a near miss with one."

Road hazards and caged drivers are not the only thing that riders need to be aware of; seasonal riders, who only ride during the warmer months, often forget to inspect their bikes after they have been stored.

"When riders are dusting off the cobwebs from their stored bikes, some people think that it was good when I stored it, it's still good since I didn't ride it," said Mueller. But there are any number of things that can go bad on a bike when it sits for long periods of time. "Tires can dry rot or get flat spots, or electrical or hydraulic issues may have occurred during storage. It is always a good idea to inspect your bike before riding. Then, take a short ride around the block or neighborhood to check it out."

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation provides useful information on what to inspect before riding. They have developed an acronym T-CLOCS which means tires and wheels, controls, lights, oil, chassis and suspension and stands.

T-CLOCS is designed to help riders inspect their bike. Riders inspect:
  • Tires and wheels for correct air pressure and tire tread.
     
  • Controls for functionality and adjustment.
     
  • Lights and electrics, check by turning on all lights and checking high and low beam, tail and brake lights, turn signals and any other visible wiring riders can discover any potential problems before riding.
     
  • Oil and other fluids, check brake, oil and coolants and change periodically, inspect also for any leaks that can lead to other problems.
     
  • Chassis and suspension, check the bikes chain or belt, suspension, fasteners and frame.
     
  • Stands, loose stands have resulted in motorcyclist crashing when they come in contact with the ground and stick
Whether you ride or drive everyone uses the road. Sharing the road and going back to the basics of what was taught in drivers education can save lives of not just riders but drivers as well.

Below are some hints for motorcyclists and drivers from the NHTSA, MSF, and 2nd BW safety office:

For motorcyclists:
  • Check your bike before you ride. Remember T-CLOCS.
     
  • Never ride impaired or distracted.
     
  • Obey traffic laws, wear DOT-compliant helmets and other protective gear.
     
  • Make yourself visible by wearing bright colors and using reflective tape.
     
  • Avoid riding in poor weather conditions.
     
  • Use turn signals for every turn or lane change, even if you think no one will see it.
     
  • Combine hand signals and turn signals to draw more attention to yourself.
     
  • Position yourself in the lane where you will be most visible to other drivers.

For drivers:
  • Never drive distracted. Doing so can result in tragic consequences for motorcyclists.
     
  • Allow a motorcyclist a full lane width. Although it may seem that there is enough room in the traffic lane for a motor vehicle and a motorcycle, the motorcycle needs the room to maneuver safely. 
     
  • Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic. This allows motorcyclists to anticipate traffic flow and find a safe lane position.
     
  • Because of its smaller size, a motorcyclist can be hidden in a vehicle's blind spot. Always check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections.
     
  • Turn signals on motorcycles are not the same as those on motor vehicles - motorcycle signals are usually not self-canceling and riders sometimes forget to turn them off. Allow enough time to determine the motorcyclist's intention before you proceed.
     
  • Remember that road conditions that are minor annoyances to motorists can pose major hazards to motorcyclists. Motorcycle riders may change speed or adjust position within a lane suddenly in reaction to road and traffic conditions such as potholes, gravel, wet or slippery surfaces, pavement seams, railroad crossings, and grooved pavement.
     
  • Allow more following distance, three or four seconds, when following a motorcycle so the motorcycle rider has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency. In dry conditions, motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars.