JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- With spring showing its brightest colors and weather warming up, it's easy to see how the topic of safety can get lost among thoughts of summer trips to the beach. For motorcyclists, however, safety is at the forefront of traveling ideas. That's why one Team McChord unit is making sure riders are prepared for the obstacles of the coming season.
Airmen of the 62nd Maintenance Squadron kicked off the riding season with a group ride focused on safety. Taking a route up to Mount Rainier, led by squadron motorcycle safety representatives and assisted by the Green Knights Military Motorcycle Club, riders from across the 62nd MXS, and some others in the 62nd Maintenance Group, benefited from the instruction of seasoned motorcyclists.
Tech. Sgt. Todd Spencer and Staff Sgt. Adam Kies are the 62nd MXS' motorcycle safety representatives. Together they have more than 29 years of motorcycle experience.
"It is important to start off a riding season with a mentor-led ride to build the confidence of riders and ensure that the bikes are in proper operating conditions," said Spencer. "By having a group ride at the beginning, the motorcycle safety representatives can have a controlled environment to mentor riders on skills that may have fallen away during the off season."
There is also the added benefit of building a network of riders within the squadron.
"This event gave us a chance to get the 62nd MXS motorcycle-riding community together to meet one another and build rapport, so the next time someone wants to take a trip, they have a list of fellow riders to invite along," said Kies. "It's safer to be in a group when you're on a motorcycle."
In addition to the season's kick-off ride, the squadron's motorcycle safety representatives also headed this year's Springerization Seminar. This is a "tech day" that instructs riders on how to prepare their bikes for the riding season.
In addition to motorcycles, the seminar covers all power sport vehicles, including quads, scooters, and dirt bikes. The course showed them how to inspect tires, brakes, and safety features of the bike and emphasized the importance of easing into riding a motorcycle again.
"In 2011, 49 percent of motorcycle fatality accidents involved two vehicles, and 43 percent were caused by a vehicle hitting the motorcycle," said Spencer. "By attending this seminar, riders will learn how to ensure their motorcycle is road ready and get a refresher on lane positioning to maximize their visibility on the road."
Seeing as this information is crucial for all riders, the squadron's motorcycle safety representatives reached out to motorcycle safety representatives from across the 62nd MXG, and more than 20 Airmen attended the course.
"I want all our riders to enjoy the riding season, and my goal was to start the season off on the right foot," said Maj. Clinton Varty, 62nd MXS commander, who initiated the spring kick-off group ride with a pre-season riders' brief. "By supporting a group ride and Springerization seminar, we were able to get seasoned riders together with less experienced riders, and if that helps prevent even just one accident, then it's worth it."