Record turnout for Motorcycle Safety Day

  • Published
  • By Sachel Seabrook
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Team Eglin's fourth annual Motorcycle Safety Day April 21, proved to be perfectly timed with the Critical Days of Summer campaign just a few weeks away.

"We have a great opportunity here to address the motorcycle concerns of Airmen and Team Eglin members," said Robert Fusco, AAC Safety.

More than 600 bikers from Hurlburt Field, Tyndall AFB, Duke Field and Pensacola came to listen to safety discussions and captivating stories of accident survivors. This was the largest turnout since Eglin started hosting the event, according to Tommy Salter, AAC Safety.

"Motorcycle safety is everyone's concern," said Maj. Gen. Charles Davis, Air Armament Center commander, who gave the opening remarks. "If we can get you to think a little bit more before you walk out the door and avoid another Airman from losing their life today, then this event is worth it. This is a great program our safety offices put together."

He also noted that non-motorcycle drivers need to be more aware and cautious around bikes, both on and off.

This year's event, which included a riding skills course and group ride, acted as a forum for all Eglin bikers to be better informed about the dangers they face.

The statistics shared at the briefing put things into a clear perspective. Motorcycles and POVs are the number one killers of Airmen at their first duty stations. Motorcycle deaths increased throughout the Air Force in 2009 to 20. Although Eglin lost Master Sgt. Wali Lanier, 678th Armament Systems Squadron, last year, the base has not had any recent accidents, injuries or fatalities.

"As the host safety office, we must do everything within our power to prevent such loss of life," says Col. Michael Guidry, AAC Director of Safety.

After the briefings, the riders moved outdoors to the riding course and best-bike competition where bikers performed maneuvers through cones and swerve objectives. Afterward, riders rode together on an 80-mile group ride.

Though the motorcycle event ended, the Safety Office hopes to continue educating the community with their Critical Days of Summer Safety Campaign, which begins May 18th and will run through Labor Day.

"This Safety Campaign will allow us to continue to raise motorcycle safety awareness and increase rider knowledge, while advancing the effort to prevent motorcycle injuries and fatalities."