Sgt. Garrick Buckland, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 168th BSB, receives instructions from Lt. Kevin Robison, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, during a motorcycle safety course. Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers taught motorcyclists in 214th Fires Br...

FORT SILL, Okla. -- Fifteen motorcyclists from across the 214th Fires Brigade attended an advanced motorcycle safety course conducted by motorcycle troopers from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Oct. 17.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol's motorcycle troopers have a mobile unit with a trailer, big screen TV and multiple resources to turn an empty parking lot into an advanced motorcycle training school.

Being the most highly trained and experienced motorcyclists in the state give the troopers a wealth of knowledge to assist riders of any skill group in improving riding skills and adding effective safety techniques to their riding tools.

"For years the State of Oklahoma saw a continuing rise in motorcycle accidents," explained Trooper Steve Easom, "so we developed a program that travels to bikers in all corners of the state to combat bad riding habits and teach safety minded riding techniques to riders of all levels."

The daylong course is a mix of classroom lessons and practical exercises designed to improve riders' skills and controls by focusing on the minor details that can mean the difference between a safe and joyful ride and a nightmare.

Details like holding a brake while stopped at a redlight can alert upcoming drivers and aid in their depth perception, proper acceleration techniques can prevent single vehicle accidents and keeping one's head and eyes in the right direction keeps a rider alert to the cars around.

"I've ridden for years," said Spc. Marcus Wilson, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 168th Brigade Support Battalion, "but any opportunity to practice your skills and gain confidence and experience on maneuver courses with the help of experts is valuable training that could some day save your life."

Beginning with the proper use of personal protective equipment and the proper methods of controlling a bike before escalating to advanced riding and maneuver techniques, the course puts riders through the rigors of safe riding.

Repeating the exercises again and again under close supervision of instructors allowed riders to hone their skills and make safe practices second nature.

"I learned about this program several months ago," said 1st Lt. Kurt Wolford, B Company, 168th BSB, "and I immediately knew that this class would be perfect for the Soldiers of our unit.

Any opportunity to improve a rider's skills and safety is beneficial to everyone on the road."

Weaving through cones, first one way and then another allowed riders to feel the capabilities and responsiveness of their motorcycle as well as learn the appropriate head and eye locations for optimal control.

Other exercises, like gently accelerating from a stop over a board taught riders proper clutch techniques to safely accelerate and shift with full control.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol conducts this safety course about 16 times per year around the state, and will schedule private group classes for large organizations.

Riders interested in attending the free course can search dates and locations, as well as register on the program's website, www.ohpsaferiders.com.

"This is a fun and exciting day to get hands on practice in an entire parking lot with experts," said Master Sgt. Donald Beets, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 168th BSB. "This course is taught by experts for riders of all skill levels. It's not one of those beginner courses, but seems designed for advanced riders to break bad habits and add little details to riding styles that can make a big difference."