Motorcycle safety range open daily

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La --  Quick stops, braking techniques and accident avoidance are all things taught and practiced at the motorcycle training range, which opened last year.

The range, located in the parking lot on the corner of Davis Avenue and Orville Wright Avenue, is now open daily for anyone to use.

The range, originally built and used for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's courses, is painted with all of the MSF safety course markings and is set up for individuals to practice techniques taught in the basic riders course, sport bike riders course and advanced riders course.

"Since the range is now available daily, it's a prime time for it to be used like it should be," said Staff Sgt. Clint Gateley, MSF-certified instructor. "The more people use the range, the more it shows to the command that motorcycle riders want to improve their riding skills and ride safely. The more the range is used could lead to a future permanent location solely meant for training and practice, not a dual-purpose parking area and training range as it is now."

The range can be used at any time during daylight hours and for any type of two-wheeled motorcycle. Individuals must comply with the current Air Force safety regulations including the use of correct personal protective equipment as outlined in Air Force Instruction 91-207, "The US Air Force Traffic Safety Program", and obtain a commander safety briefing and MSF card. Riders using the range must not participate in any unsafe acts such as motorcycle stunts.

"Even new riders can bring their bike on a trailer to the range to practice, but only if they have a motorcycle safety representative with them and they have their squadron commander's approval." said Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Gavidia, 2nd Bomb Wing Safety NCO in charge of inspections.

The range is a great place to practice and learn a riders specific bike in a safe and controlled enviroment Gateley said.

Any of the more than 300 riders here wanting to get some hands-on training or mentoring can contact Gateley at 456-3578 or their unit motorcycle safety representatives for more information.