Navy Region Northwest is ramping up training and guidance for motorcyclists across the region in correlation with two service members’ deaths due to motorcycle accidents over the course of the past three months.

In the latest incident, Feb. 13, Pfc. Christopher Peter Masdonati, 20, from Marine Corps Security Force Company, Bangor of Strategic Weapons Facility, Pacific (SWFPAC) was killed when he lost control of his vehicle, which struck a tree and ejected him into two steel wires used to support a utility pole. He did complete a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Riders Course offered through Naval Base Kitsap Safety Office last Sept.

“This is a tragic event,” said Danise Barnes, SWFPAC public affairs officer. “We feel for his family as well as his shipmates and fellow Marines. We encourage all of our Sailors and Marines to remain vigilant when getting behind the wheel, whether it is a motorcycle or an automobile.”

According to the Navy Safety Center, there have been 16 Sailors and Marines killed in motorcycle accidents for fiscal year 2008 as of Feb. 19, all of which were sport type motorcycles, nearly half the rate of personnel killed in fiscal year 2007.

As a result, Rear Adm. A. J. Johnson, commander, Naval Safety Center, met with Motorcycle Safety Foundation officials in January to discuss a new course focused on high performance motorcycles. Navy Region Northwest will offer this course in the near future.

“I think motorcycle safety is very important especially for service members,” said Steve Lebeda, Navy Region Northwest traffic and recreational off-duty safety coordinator. “They are what we classify as a high risk age group. Anytime we can get some awareness training or information out there to have them make a good decision when they use their motorcycles is invaluable. We need to give them information so they can make the right choice on how to ride safer.”

Service members who wish to bring their motorcycles onto military bases around the world are required to complete a DoD approved motorcycle safety course and have a valid motorcycle endorsement on their drivers license.

“The goal is to have zero fatalities next year,” said Todd Greenwood, Navy Region Northwest Traffic Safety Coordinator. “One thing individuals can do to improve safety is positive peer pressure on their buddies who might be riding unsafe. There is a time and a place to ride fast and it’s not the road, but race tracks. A bigger bike is not always better for the rider. Smaller CC bikes handle better for a beginner and an intermediate rider.”

Navy Region Northwest Safety office is taking more steps to improve rider safety. They are offering a week of Motorcycle Safety Foundation experienced rider’s courses March 17-21 and have started a Motorcycle Riders Safety Counsel for service members and DoD civilians who ride motorcycles to come together and improve motorcycle safety throughout Navy Region Northwest. 

“I think motorcycle safety is an extremely important topic that is becoming increasingly visible,” said Yeoman 2nd Class (SS) Adam Evans, Intermediate Maintenance Facility and sport bike rider. “From the cruisers to the sport bikes, I feel it is imperative riders familiarize themselves with not only the equipment they are riding with, but the surrounding environment as well.”

“We lose too many of our fellow riders each year due to either lack of knowledge or the failure to respect their motorcycle. It’s also important to keep that wisdom fresh by taking rider courses at least once every couple years,” he added.

For more information on motorcycle safety, Motorcycle Riders Safety Counsel or the rider safety courses offered through Navy Region Northwest, contact Todd Greenwood at (360) 396-6104.