FORT SILL, Okla. -- Like any other Army training, first there is a safety briefing and then the lesson is put into practice.
A couple hundred Soldiers, family members and civilians met at the Impact Zone parking lot at Fort Sill May 8, then took their cruisers, sports bikes and trikes on the road for the 9th Annual Freedom's Thunder Motorcycle Safety Rally.
"Riding is a great thing, it's a great privilege to have in the United States, but it's also hazardous," said Kenneth Broughton, Fort Sill installation safety manager. "Everybody has to be careful out there."
After a welcome and safety briefing, the group took their iron horses through Apache Gate, out to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge and then into Lawton.
"On the ride there will be testers out there asking riders questions to test their safety knowledge, and they'll be granted tickets to win prizes," said Broughton.
Bikers were asked what personal protective equipment is required to ride on a military installation and the Army's regulation on motorcycles.
Broughton said while many Soldiers enjoy the freedom that comes with a doorless vehicle, the Army wants to ensure no lives are lost in the mix.
"This year the motorcycle accidents are up for the Army. We have had six motorcycle accidents involving Fort Sill Soldiers, fortunately no fatalities, this fiscal year," said Broughton.
Army veteran and 30-year rider Jeffrey Martin said he's learned something new by coming to the safety rally for the past three years.
"I've learned that you get a big group of people together and you have to be more aware of your surroundings."
His wife, Ramona, said she is acts an extra set of eyes when she's a passenger.
"Besides looking at the scenery, I look to my left and my right when he's making turns or to just see what's happening behind me."
She said she appreciated the rally as a way to make the roads safer by raising drivers' awareness of the large number of motorcyclists in the community.
The original rally began when then-Col. John Tanzi and then-Staff Sgt. Mike Chavers presented then commanding general Maj. Gen. David Ralston with the idea of mixing the love of motorcycles with riding safety.
"I think it's very important for Soldiers to learn the safety of motorcycles. These days motorcycles are very high powered and a lot of newer Soldiers don't have riding experience. [Here] Soldiers can learn the aspects of the motorcycle; learn how to handle the motorcycles and become more familiar with the power that they have," said Martin.
For more information about motorcycle safety, visit http://sill-www.army.mil/usag/iso/motorcycle.html.
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