Sailors Participate in Motorcycle Safety Rally

By Aviation Maintenance Administrationman (AW) Airman Kelvin Cohen, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Service members, Department of Defense personnel, veterans and families participated in a Motorcycle Safety Rally at Naval Station Norfolk Navy Exchange May 18.

The event was held as part of Motorcycle Safety month and consisted of inspections, safety information and a group ride throughout the Hampton Roads area.

"It was a great turnout," said Chief Fire Controlman (SW) Daniel Nichols, event coordinator. "The overall theme is to reinforce our safety, have fun, and also get us out in the community."

During the event, Sewells Point Safety Center provided the participants information to help keep future bike riders safe while on the road.

"We came out to offer information training and awareness," said Bruce Manow, Sewells Point safety leader. "We run the whole gamut of safety while riding. We have a lot of young Sailors that come off of a deployment and purchase these bikes and get in an accident so we are here to teach them the skills necessary to stay safe on the roads."

The 90 minute bike route was a highlight of the day for many of the 200 participants.

"We did roughly 95 miles," said Chief Aviation Support Equipment Technician (SW/AW) Will Kumley, assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Roosevelt (CVN 71). "It was great! Any day on the bike is a good day."

At the conclusion of the day, awards were given out where a team of Sailors from Roosevelt took home a trophy for the second consecutive year for overall command participation.

"We do this every year," said Kumley. "We're fourteen strong today. Our ship has a motorcycle rider's group that keys in on this type of stuff. I think it's great to emphasize safety and get everybody out here together."