Safety Corner: Prepping for motorcycle riding Published March 8, 2011 By Dan Heald 5th Bomb Wing Ground Safety MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- It's March in Minot, N.D., and you can look outside and still see snow as well as ice on the ground, yet, we're already talking motorcycles. One may think, "Has the Safety office lost it? They are already talking motorcycle safety training and it isn't even safe to ride yet?" But while it seems too early to start riding, it can never be too early to review some safety guidelines on motorcycle riding. North Dakota's American Bikers Aiming Toward Education has posted their class schedules for 2011, so it is essential for Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen to undergo Motorcycle Safety Foundation training before they begin to ride a motorcycle. In the past we have seen these classes fill up quickly. Riders have missed a good part of the motorcycle riding season because they did not sign up for the training early enough and had to wait for an open class. According to AFI 91-207, all military personnel are required to receive this training before they can ride a motorcycle on- or -off-base as well as for all personnel riding on an Air Force installation. Go to the North Dakota Motorcycle Safety Program website at www.ndmsp.com to sign up for a class and to have many of your MSF training questions answered. Before you actually sign up for a class, be sure that you will be able to attend the class you are signing up for. The Basic Rider Course will cost $100 up front. The nice part is once you have completed the course, bring your BRC completion card to the 5th Bomb Wing Ground Safety office and we will process the paperwork to get your money refunded. For those of you who already have you MSF training, this is a good time to get your bike checked out and tuned up so that your bike is ready to go when you are. And while your bike is in the shop, take a look at your riding gear to ensure it is also ready when you are. According to the MSF, helmet manufacturers recommend replacing your helmet if it was involved in a crash, or every two to four years, due to damage to the helmet that may not visible to you. Make arrangements now so that you are ready to get out and ride when spring arrives. Ride safe and we will see you on the road.