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Motorcycle riders get new perspective with beer goggles and tricycles

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tammie Ramsouer
  • Maxwell Public Affairs

Airmen and Department of Defense civilian motorcyclists gathered to attend Maxwell’s annual Motorcycle Safety Day Thursday.

The focus behind Motorcycle Safety Day was to include riders of all skill levels to come together and learn how to become safer and better riders. At the event, riders could share personal experiences and test their riding abilities in a controlled environment.

“It helps to build camaraderie within the riding community by connecting new riders with more experienced veterans,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Mendoza, 42nd Air Base Wing chief of safety. “It can give riders an opportunity to assess their own limitations and gain confidence in their skills.”

During the safety day, riders competed against each other in events that included a drunk goggle race on a tricycle, a motorcycle show, and a slow race. The events were created with the focus of understanding motorcycle safety.

“It is important to have a motorcycle safety day, because we are still losing a substantial number of Airmen to motorcycle accidents each year,” Mendoza said. “[However,] a motorcycle safety day will not stop all motorcycle fatalities, it can enhance the skills and survivability of our team Maxwell motorcycle riders.”

Within the past 10 years, the Air Force has lost more than 100 Airmen to motorcycle accidents. Currently, there are more than 28,000 registered Airmen that are motorcycle riders and 264 linked to Maxwell, Mendoza added. With the number of fatalities being so high, the safety office creates these safety days for all Airmen to aim for the prevention of future mishaps.

For all military or DoD civilians who ride or plans to ride motorcycles, contact the 42nd ABW Safety office at 334-953-2001, for more information.

“We will be more than happy to make sure [everyone] has all the information needed to ride safely,” Mendoza said.