Marine Corps Base Quantico -- Joint Base Andrews, MD — Start you engines! The fifth annual motorcycle safety day was held at Joint Base Andrews. Riders and non-riders from the D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia gathered to commemorate, learn, and compete with everything related to motorcycles. The event started off with a speech from 11th Wing Base Commander, Colonel Bradley T. Hoagland.
“Motorcycle Safety Day started, because there were a large number of service members who rode, but no organized event was available for those riders to remind them about proper safety,” Hoagland said. “Motorcycle safety day is critical for both riders and non-riders. It’s important to learn from each other and think about how riding can affect everyone the road,” he said.
The attendees consisted of military personnel, family members, Fairfax County Police Department, Prince George’s County Police Department, the Gray Knights Motorcycle Club, Green Knights Motorcycle Club and many more.
The significance of this event comes from its name. Five-year rider, Anthony Reid said, “This is my second time attending motorcycle safety day. I will probably come next year too, because this event is more than just checking out other rider’s bikes. Motorcycle safety day is about sharing experiences, mentoring and coming out to work on your skills. This event can bring understanding from both riders and non-riders. If they learn something from this event, then hopefully it translates well when they go on the road.”
Early in the afternoon, the motorcyclists all rode together in a police escorted ride off-base. After the ride, motorcyclists competed in various skills challenges, such as the slow ride competition and aesthetically best bike.
During the various demos and challenges, seven-year motorcyclist, Josh Eberhart said, “Motorcycle Safety Day is important to inexperienced riders, because they will learn valuable skills. [T]his event is especially important for non-riders, because they can gain some insight from the perspective of a motorcycle rider.”
“Being rear ended is the biggest problem, and most motor-cycle accidents I’ve witnessed and heard of are caused by space from car drivers,” said Eberhart. “Because of this, it’s important for motorcycle riders to give themselves time and distance in between car drivers. A rider in our club passed away, because he was rear ended by a drunk driver. I’ll never forget riding to find him and EMS being on the scene.
“My advice for new riders would be to slow down and pay attention. It only takes a split second to get into an accident and in that split second, you can possibly end your life,” Eberhart said.
Best bike competitor and twelve-year motorcyclist, Michael Martin said, “I lost a couple of friends in accidents. One of them was riding fast on loose gravel and he lost control of his bike and crashed. Another one of my friends was riding with his girlfriend. They got hit from the side by a truck and died on the spot.
“In my 12 years of riding, I learned that speed isn’t all that. Speed will get you killed and it’s more important to pay attention to drivers on the road. If you’re not paying attention it might be your last. Think about the lives you affect when you’re on the road. You don’t just ride for yourself, but for everybody else.”