May and Motorcycles

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Seanjon Judkins
  • 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  The Green Knights Military Motorcycle Club Chapter 3, led by president, Tech. Sgt. Todd Spencer, 62nd Maintenance Squadron servicing section chief, met with Team McChord leadership at McChord Field, May 23, for a promotion photo with their motorcycles in an effort to promote Motorcycle Awareness Month.

"Every month should be motorcycle awareness month," said Spencer. "A lot of us ride year-round and often other drivers don't realize that. We want people to look twice, save a life, and not just during May, but all the time."

According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission 2,155 motorcycles were involved in collisions in 2013. These collisions resulted in 340 serious injuries and 74 deaths.

"As an operator of a car, when we look and see a single headlight, our brains are trained to think it is a vehicle in the distance," said Spencer. "As the vehicle gets closer the single headlight turns into two headlights.  This is not the case for motorcycles." 

Spencer also cautioned drivers to be aware that it is harder to gauge the speed of a motorcycle compared to a car because it is smaller.

Col. Anthony Davit, 627th Air Base Group commander, was able to join the Green Knights for the photo shoot. Prior to riding his own motorcycle on the flight line for the photo, Davit encouraged the club to keep up the good work and to continue to mentor other riders.

In appreciation for his continued support, Davit was named an honorary member of the Green Knights and was presented with the chapter colors.

The Green Knights are a safety and mentorship club that focuses on teaching riders that it is possible to ride safely while still enjoying the road, the scenery and the wind.