Wright-Patt bikers get together to learn and ride.

Photo By R.J. Oriez | A motorcycle rider departs on a group ride April 26, 2024, from behind the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force as part of the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Motorcycle Safety Month kickoff event sponsored by the 88th Air Base Wing Safety Office. More than 60 riders got to shake off winter rust from their bikes and sharpen safety habits to take a group ride on a beautiful spring day. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez)  

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OH, UNITED STATES

05.10.2024

Story by R.J. Oriez 

88th Air Base Wing

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, but Wright-Patterson Air Force Base got a few days jump on it by holding the kickoff event April 26 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
Kristopher Grilley is the 88th Air Base Wing Safety Office’s motorcycle safety representative, but he does not actually ride, so he got some help from Tech. Sgt. Christopher Orwin, the National Air and Space Intelligence Center’s motorcycle safety representative. Orwin says his call sign is “Slick.”
“I got that from a motorcycle-related incident,” Orwin said without getting into specifics. “I use that, actually. That event is what spurred me into really taking on safety in a whole new light, really applying myself and doing what I can.”
The day had two main goals: “safety and community,” as one rider attending the event put it.
“Today is really about ensuring that there’s camaraderie amongst the motorcyclists on base, whether military or civilian, as well as helping the younger Airmen in our Air Force be trained and mentored by the more experienced riders,” Grilley said.
The day started with presentations inside the museum going over the basics of emergency braking, cornering, traction control and speed. Then, it moved outside for a presentation by Motorcycle Ohio, a part of the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
Motorcycle Ohio recognized and presented new helmets to six riders who had survived crashes because they were wearing their helmets.
One of them was Robert Martin, who has 50 years of riding experience. Last year, an SUV driver, coming from the opposite direction, made a left turn in front of him, one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents.
“I had been riding a bike since I was in my mid-20s,” Martin told those in attendance. “I always thought, ‘I’ve got it. I’ve got it under control.’ But I want you to know, when it happens, it happens quick.”
Then, when the presentations and speakers were done, it was time for what most people were there for—a two-hour group ride on a beautiful spring day.

• Date Taken: 05.10.2024
• Date Posted: 05.13.2024 14:47
• Story ID: 470956
• Location: WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OH, US
• Hometown: DAYTON, OH, US