FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Three hundred bikers from the Mountain Post and surrounding communities kicked off spring with the 3rd Annual Motorcycle Safety Event and Mentorship Ride Friday at Ironhorse Park.
The safety event included motorcycle inspections, maintenance training, a skills course, best bike show, loudest pipes, driving-under-the-influence simulator, a safety class and riding demonstration conducted by the Colorado Springs Police Department motorcycle unit.
Col. John D. Keenan, deputy garrison commander, said the annual event supports Fort Carson's policy regarding motorcycle safety and expresses the importance of safe-riding techniques.
"When we talk about safety, obviously motorcycle safety is a big topic for Fort Carson and across the Army," he said.
Keenan said the best way to put meaning into what the Army preaches about motorcycle safety is to have Soldiers and the community practice safety and conduct training together.
"What I hope we take away from here is a lot of good points that we don't just leave here today, but that we use for the rest of the year," Keenan said.
Spc. Randy Rodriguez, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, made his way to the DUI simulator where he had to operate a golf cart and maneuver it through a set of cones while wearing "beer goggles."
"It was very interesting to see how well I didn't drive drunk," Rodriguez said.
Sgt. Richard Bloom, 2nd Bn., 77th FA Reg., also participated in the DUI simulator event and said trying to operate a vehicle "under the influence" was extremely difficult.
The event concluded with a round-trip mentorship ride from Fort Carson to the Garden of the Gods Park. The group ride offered a way to incorporate safe-riding techniques for both rookie and veteran riders.
"I know riding a bike is a lot of fun, but we do have to respect it and ride safely," Keenan said.
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