Record crowd rides in for motorcycle safety rally

  • Published
  • By Samuel King Jr.
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Through rain, then sunshine, bikers rode in to attend the base's eighth annual motorcycle safety rally here April 17.

The event a joint-53rd Wing and 96th Test Wing effort brought in approximately 600 civilian and military riders for safety briefings, testimonials, question and answer sessions, door prizes and a group ride.

"Our goal for this event is to have our motorcycle riders thinking "safety" and employing safe rider techniques every time they hit the streets," said Joe Bailey, 53rd Wing ground safety. 

Fellow rider and 96th TW's command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Brian Creager, spoke to the riders about the motorcycle accident he had as an NCO.

"You may think "it won't happen to me,"" said the chief.  "I'm here to tell you, it can.  I'm living proof."

Before turning it over to the briefers, he urged attendees to listen and heed the lessons and advice provided by the speakers at the rally.

An Okaloosa County Sheriff's Officer, Robert Speakman, spoke about traffic safety and provided dos and don'ts for the motorcycle riders.  He also informed the riders of state and local policies.

The safety topics covered were maintenance, upkeep, riding in weather, on base, local hazards and more.

Then the riders geared up to roll out.  Many of them participated in group ride to lunch.

"We're elated with the turnout this year considering the weather.  The higher the attendance means the more motorcycle riders we're speaking to face-to-face," said Bailey.  "This event provides them with mandatory commander preseason briefings and group rider training information as peak season for motorcycle riding approaches."