The Pentagon kicked off Motorcycle Safety Month this past weekend with its annual Motorcycle Safety Awareness Event. Event participants included motorcycle stunt artists.
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and on Friday I attended the Pentagon’s annual Motorcycle Safety event. Because I haven’t been on the back of a bike in my adult life, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to see what it feels like to ride down the road with no doors or a seatbelt. I got on the back of a bike and rode to north Pentagon parking (location of the event) but not before sightseeing on Interstate 395.
It was the most exciting and scary thing I’ve done in a long time. Before I got on the bike and even before we got on the interstate, I wasn’t nervous at all. But as soon as we hit the busy road I thought about the fact that not everyone deserves the privilege of having a license. As nervous as I was, it was even more exciting. It felt like I was on a roller coaster and my first instinct was to raise my arms in the air. Please know while the thought of lifting my arms was exciting, I didn’t do it. In fact, my arms were glued to the driver.
Part of the reason I wanted to ride was to get an understanding of why so many of our Soldiers own motorcycles. If you asked me on Thursday what I thought about motorcycles, I probably would have stressed my sincere dislike for them. However, I now have an appreciation for those who ride and I wouldn’t mind going for another one myself.
While my dislike for bikes has definitely lessened, my concerns are still very much a reality. According to this month’s STAND – TO on motorcycle safety awareness, there are more bikes registered on Army installations than ever and motorcycle accidents remain a top non-combat safety concern. Motorcycle safety should be the top concern of riders and other motorists on the road should exercise caution and remain aware of cyclists sharing the road.
I attended the Motorcycle Safety Awareness Event to learn about the importance of safety and what you can do to help prevent accidents. The most important thing Army personnel (including Soldiers and Department of the Army civilians) need to keep in mind is the requirement to have the proper personal protective equipment before getting on the bike.
I’m sure that everyone reading this is a pro and knows everything about safety, but if you have any questions you can visit the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center for the latest on motorcycle safety and how to keep you, your Family and other Families safe while traveling the busy roads.
Chondra Perry, Public Affairs Specialist, Online and Social Media
Public Affairs Specialist, Chondra Perry, takes a break from her duties to pose for a quick photo on the National Guard’s Motorcycle during the Pentagon’s annual Motorcycle Safety Awareness Event.
