Reagan Riders Roll Toward Summer with Motorcycle Safety in Mind

By Mass Communications Specialist Seaman Kevin Hastings, USS Ronald Reagan Public Affairs

NAVAL BASE KITSAP-KEYPORT, Wash. (NNS) -- More than 30 motorcycle riders from aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) joined nearly 300 fellow riders from military commands throughout the Pacific Northwest for a motorcycle safety standdown aboard Naval Base Kitsap-Keyport, May 17.

The safety standdown was conducted to reinforce the Navy's standards for motorcycle safety, especially with more motorcycle riders taking to the roads as weather conditions in the region continue to improve.

"There were 34 motorcycle-related deaths in the Navy last year," said Chief Hull Technician Nick Brunney, Ronald Reagan's command motorcycle safety representative. "We want to bring operational risk management to the forefront of Sailor's minds."

The safety standdown brought riders of all skill levels together to help less-experienced riders improve their proficiency. Those in attendance received safety briefs before taking to a slalom course to demonstrate basic motorcycle riding and safety skills.

According to Brunney, rank was of no concern to the riders in attendance.

"It's important we get all the riders together as peers," said Brunney. "The person who might be helping you become more familiar with riding, and therefore a better and safer motorcycle rider, can be junior or senior (in rank) to you."

Capt. Thom Burke, USS Ronald Reagan commanding officer and a motorcycle rider himself, said attending safety courses like the one held aboard Naval Base Kitsap-Keyport are important for all riders.

"It's imperative to keep everyone in the fold when it comes to motorcycle safety," said Burke. "This critically important training helps riders develop those crucial habit patterns that don't come naturally... and it's those patterns that could end up saving your life."

Machinist's Mate 1st Class Tyrone Perriott, a seven-year motorcyclist, believes courses such as this one are important to instill basic bike-riding skills based on one simple principle-safety.

"We have safety standdowns to give our riders the tools to develop better riding habits and become better riders," said Perriot. "The only way to become more comfortable with riding is with time and practice."

As part of the Navy's motorcycle safety guidelines, Sailors must complete a standardized motorcycle riding course before they ride a motorcycle. The course includes training on how to ride safely, how to ride in traffic, tips on how to react to a myriad of different scenarios, and much more.

"It's important that our Sailors take the course," said Brunney. "It builds camaraderie between shipmates and it helps develop good riding habits. And it's not important to own your own bike before you take the course, because loaner bikes are available for new riders."

Ronald Reagan is currently homeported in Bremerton, Wash., while undergoing a Docked Planned Incremental Availability maintenance period at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility.