FORT LEE, Va. -- With the recent arrival of spring and the warmer temperatures it brings, motorcycles are starting to emerge from their winter "hibernation habitats."
It's certainly an exciting time for bike enthusiasts who are just itching to get in the wind. Unfortunately, it's also a time when accidents spike as a result of rushed or overlooked maintenance inspections, poor road conditions (caused by freezing temperatures over the winter), and rusty or inexperienced riding habits.
With that in mind, leaders of the 59th Ordnance Brigade here got a jump-start on ensuring their troops are ready to ride by carrying out a safety inspection on April 1. Eighty-eight Soldiers participated in the event that consisted of checks for personal protective equipment, an inspection of each motorcycle's overall mechanical condition and verification of the rider's required documentation to include driver's license, registration and motorcycle safety course card.
"It's important to ensure the riders' motorcycle classes are up-to-date as well, and that they understand the importance of personal protective equipment and know how to use it correctly," said Staff Sgt. Jessica Sites, Ordnance School instructor-writer and brigade motorcycle mentor. "Most important, though, is the emphasis on safety. We're planting that thought in their heads because we really want all our riders to think safety first while out on the road."
The inspection was conducted in three sessions -- early morning, lunch and evening -- to accommodate the different work schedules of the Soldiers. The large turnout showed the importance that the riders placed on being as safe as possible, Sites noted.
For more information on motorcycle safety or to register for a motorcycle class (active duty only), contact the Fort Lee Safety Office at (804) 765-3127 or go online to https://imc.army.mil/AIRS.
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