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The Basics of Motorcycle Safety

I recently sat through a pretty detailed motorcycle fatality brief, and got to thinking about my own riding, and how I deal with risky behavior when I am a husband, and father of three children.

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SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. – I recently sat through a pretty detailed motorcycle fatality brief, and got to thinking about my own riding, and how I deal with risky behavior when I am a husband, and father of three children.  As I sat there thinking about what I would say if given the chance, I got to thinking about why I chose to become a Motorcycle Safety Foundation instructor a few years ago.  It all falls back to a discussion I had with an Airman of mine back in 2005 after his return from the front lines in Iraq.


As a frequent member of a convoy detail, hauling cargo across the most dangerous roads in the world, he said that the monotony of the task made it rather routine after awhile.  Sure, he started out being on guard – ready for anything and constantly on the lookout.  But that did not last long.  After a month of being blind to the obvious risks they subjected themselves to every day, disaster struck.  The convoy hit an IED, and this Airmen’s life was changed forever.  He was not injured, but a friend and fellow warrior in another vehicle did lose his life.  It was then that he realized that the nature of his duty was quite a bit more dangerous then he gave it credit.  From that day on, his routine task was never routine again.


So I asked myself, when I am taking risks, do they become routine after awhile?   Unfortunately, my 30 years of motorcycle riding had become routine – and I knew it.  I knew that I needed to do something to continually remind myself of the risks I take, and ensure that I am doing all in my power to learn as much as I can about my “craft.” I needed to make sure I was being a responsible rider not just for me, but for my family.  That day, I started my six-year journey toward becoming an MSF instructor – and now have an opportunity to continually remind myself, and others, about taking risks responsibly.  Whenever I get feeling like the short ride to the softball diamond is routine – I take out my MSF handbook and remind myself to be on the lookout – because, as a wise man once told me… “Fate is a hunter.”


So what is going to be your reminder?  How are you going to check yourself before you wreck yourself?  This goes for all risks – not just motorcycling.  If you routinely take risks, be it spear fishing, scuba diving, water skiing, operating a motor vehicle, or just walking across the street – be aware of your surroundings.  Be prepared to undertake whatever task is ahead of you.  Be on the lookout for this hunter that we call “Fate.”  Sometimes, that is as simple as reminding yourself that taking risks should never become routine.


 


                                                            - USTRANSCOM -

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