Sasebo Motorcyclists Stay Safe Through Training, Practice

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Casey H. Kyhl, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det., Sasebo

May 18, 2010 - SASEBO, Japan (NNS) -- Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo (CFAS) Sailors and DoD civilians participated in a motorcycle safety training course May 14 in Sasebo, Japan.

According to the Joint Service Safety Council, motorcycle safety and training is the number one non-combat safety concern across the services.

May is Motorcycle Safety Month and is geared to lowering the annual number of motorcycle accidents and fatalities among service members.

"Riders need to have safety on their minds every time they climb onto a bike," said Roland Kallead, CFAS traffic safety instructor. "They need to wear the proper personal protective equipment and know how to skillfully control their bikes. This course teaches that."

The course began with an overview of motorcycle riding and its inherent dangers.

Takachi Ueno, lead instructor and a Japanese motorcycle police officer, spoke with each participant about the capabilities of their motorcycles. The specifics of cruisers, power scooters, sport, enduro and touring bikes were all discussed.

"The most important aspect of motorcycle safety is knowing your bike," said Ueno. "Every type of bike rides differently."

"Motorcycle Safety Month isn't just for motorcycle riders," said Kallead. "Warmer weather will bring more motorcycles onto the streets, and all drivers need to be aware of that and look out for them. A community of defensive drivers would be a safe one to travel through."

Kallead said that the most common mistakes riders make are speeding and trying to push the envelope.

"Courses like this serve to break bad habits before they start," said Lt. Mark Ames, USS Denver (LPD 9) command chaplain. "This is the third safety course I have attended since I began riding, and I know it keeps me riding safely."

Thirteen participants navigated various skill courses and practiced emergency braking for more than two hours, while four Japanese motorcycle police officers performed examples and offered advice.

"This course improves the skills and techniques of the participants so that they will be better prepared for the hazards and normal obstacles they will come across out in town," said Kellead. "Motorcycle safety is not luck. It's about practice, training and being prepared."