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Cycle safety saves lives

  • Published
  • By Lorie Bellamy
  • 18th Wing Safety
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  With warmer weather reaching Okinawa, many motorcycle enthusiasts will be dusting off their bikes to begin riding for the season.

However, before hitting the streets, all Air Force members new to riding must attend an official motorcycle training course before operating a motorcycle.

One thing all riders must do is wear the proper personal protective equipment while riding. It is critical to safety and will help minimize injuries in many instances.

The following personal protective equipment is required to be worn by Air Force members operating a motorcycle on or off base, whether they are on or off-duty, and by Department of Defense civilians, while operating a motorcycle in an on-duty status on official business (per Air Force Instruction 91-207, U.S. Air Force Traffic Safety Program):
  • Head protection; wear of a certified helmet is required and must be properly worn and fastened under the chin.
  • Goggles, wrap-around glasses or a full face shield will be worn.
  • Long-sleeved shirt or jacket; strongly encouraged to wear a jacket constructed of abrasion-resistant material as well as contain impact-absorbing padding.
  • Riders will choose upper garments that incorporate high-visibility colors (e.g. fluorescent yellow-green, fluorescent orange-red or fluorescent red, etc.) during the day and are retro-reflective during the night.
    • Upper garment shall be visible and not covered.
    • Wearing a backpack is authorized if it has high-visibility reflective properties or does not obscure the high visibility and reflectivity of the upper garment.
  • Long pants or trousers.
  • Sturdy, over-the-ankle footwear that affords protection for the feet and ankles. Sandals, low quarters, sneakers and similar foot wear will not be worn.
  • Full-fingered gloves or mittens are required; will be made from leather or other abrasion-resistant material.
There are also some unique requirements in the U.S. Forces Japan instruction that apply to anyone on island operating a motorcycle. Cyclists must have at least one year of riding experience before being authorized to carry a passenger, and they must have at least three years of riding experience before legally able to have a passenger on the bike while riding on the expressway.

In addition, Okinawa Prefecture law prohibits driving in-between cars to the front of the intersection, and lastly, motorcycle riders are required to travel in the left lane on designated roads unless making a turn.

Operating a motorcycle in Okinawa can be challenging due to crowded roadways, narrow width of roadways, lack of roadway shoulders, location of drainage ditches, and the slickness of the roads when wet.

Motorcycle riders should always operate a motorcycle at a speed safe for conditions. Even if an inexperienced rider travels with a more seasoned rider, they should both always expect the unexpected.

Last year, 14 Air Force members lost their lives in motorcycle mishaps. Unfortunately, three of those members were from the 18th Wing.

Common trends in the Air Force mishaps were excessive speed for conditions, alcohol involvement, and improper use, fit and/or lack of proper personal protective equipment.

In a few instances, including one of the mishaps involving an 18th Wing member; the motorcycle operator was not at fault. They were either run off the road by another vehicle or other vehicles failed to yield and crossed into their path, causing a collision.

For more information or to sign up for the Basic Riders Course for beginners, the Advanced Riders Course or the Military Sport bike Rider Course, contact the 18th Wing Safety office at 632-6466.