Soldiers from the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment pass by the National Training Center and Fort Irwin headquarters building during the Motorcycle Check Ride May 30.
In an effort to reduce the number of motorcycle incidents and fatalities among Soldiers, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment conducted a Motorcycle Check Ride from Fort Irwin to Peggy Sue’s Dinner in Yermo, Calif., May 30.
The event not only allowed the regiment to complete the annual Motorcycle Safety Awareness Training before Soldiers take opportunity leave at the end of this month, but also allowed an opportunity for more experienced riders to help mentor newer riders.
“The biggest benefit from something like this is that you get the experienced riders to interact with the inexperienced ones and they can share their knowledge,†said Salvador D. Adame, safety officer for the 11th ACR. “This also allows the regiment to get an idea of how many new riders there are and how much emphasis needs to be put on this in order to ensure everyone’s safe.â€
Because of the high percentage rates of incidents and deaths related to motorcycles, the regiment used the ride to promote safe riding, awareness and overall motorcycle riding skills. Motorcycle safety is paramount for the 11th ACR because of its location in Southern California, which is home to some of the deadliest stretches of roads in the United States, including I-15.
“Riding a motorcycle is more risky than driving a car,†said Adame.
Being a good motorcycle rider isn’t just about how well someone handles their bike, it is also about how they handle sharing the road with other people. More often than not, many motorcyclists are injured due to the negligence of other drivers.
“Loud pipes save lives,†said 1st Sgt. Gary F. Beemster, first sergeant for Regimental Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 11th ACR. “When I’m stuck at a light, I’ll rev my engine just to let everyone know that I’m there.â€
