Motorcycle safety class, great start for new rider Published March 19, 2012 By Terry Yeager 71st Flying Training Wing Safety Office VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Spring is upon us. For a lot of people that signals the beginning of the motorcycle riding season. While motorcycle rider education is not a requirement to receive a motorcycle license in Oklahoma, Air Force Instruction 91-207, "The U.S. Air Force Traffic Safety Program," mandates that all military members who operate a motorcycle on a roadway any time, on or off-duty and on or off military installations, are required to attend and complete an approved motorcycle rider education course. Air Force civilian personnel not in a duty status, non-military family members, military retirees, civilian visitors or contractors who are properly licensed to ride a motorcycle are not required to attend service-sponsored training, or to prove they have taken other motorcycle training, to ride on a Department of Defense installation. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation offers two courses that satisfy the requirement for military members: the MSF Basic Rider Course, and the MSF Basic Rider Course 2. The Vance Air Force Base Safety Office coordinates with certified instructors in offering both of these courses to all military members. According to the MSF website, the basic rider course is the best place for a new rider to start once they have made the decision to ride. Successful completion of this course and its knowledge and skill tests may serve as a license-test waiver in some states. The basic rider course includes five hours of classroom and 10 hours of on-cycle instruction over two days. For riders who already have basic skills, the MSF Basic Rider Course 2 is a refresher course for practicing and renewing basic riding skills. For licensing purposes, Oklahoma will waive the riding test for those who complete either basic motorcycle rider safety courses. Course completion may provide a rider a discount on insurance. Motorcycles and helmets are provided for riders taking the basic rider course. Riders taking the advance course must provide their own motorcycle and helmet. All riders must have the following while taking the course: · Eye protection · Long-sleeved shirt or jacket · Long pants · Full-fingered gloves · Sturdy, over the ankle footwear that protects the feet and ankles. Durable leather or ballistic-type cloth athletic shoes that cover the ankles may be worn. These same items must be worn by all active-duty military members when riding off-base and off-duty. AFI 91-207 says outer-upper garments must incorporate high visibility colors like fluorescent yellow-green, fluorescent orange-red or fluorescent red during the day and must be retro-reflective during the night. White is not considered a high-visibility color. Reflective outer-upper garments shouldn't be covered. Wearing a backpack is authorized if it has high-visibility colors, high-visibility reflective properties or does not obscure the visibility and reflectivity of the rider's upper garment. The MSF Basic Rider Course and the MSF Basic Rider Course 2 will be offered at Vance AFB once a month from April through September. Space is limited to 12 riders per course. Come by the Safety Office in Building 455 to sign-up. For more information, call 213-7233.