Sailors, Marines and Department of Defense (DoD) personnel from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island participated in a motorcycle safety standdown at the motor cycle training course here May 14.

Service members engaged in interactive discussions about personal riding experience, executed fundamental riding and handling skills on a basic training course, learned key-points of motorcycle safety and had their bikes inspected at the event.

“We are doing this to remind people of the basics of riding and keep experienced riders thinking of safety; reminding them that if it feels wrong then they are probably not looking far enough ahead,” said Shawn Olsen, an instructor and riding coach for Navy Region Northwest.

The stand-down consisted of four events designed to help riders practice basic fundamentals including a timed “cornering challenge”, a “slow-ride”, a bike suspension check and a race track “Lean Machine”.

More than 100 attendees participated in the free event, getting shocks adjusted and learning about track days and the skills being taught at track days, provided by 2Fast, a motorcycle track day and instructional school in the Northwest.

“We are trying to put together a military only track day,” said Mark DeGross, lead instructor with 2Fast. “It’s [track day] a lot of fun. We run a school in conjunction with track days as well as instructors on track to help make you a safer rider when you get back out on the street.”

He explained how the Lean Machine teaches better riding skills by allowing instructors to adjust a rider on a bike before sending students out to practice on the track.

“Once I got off the track I didn’t want to get out on the street and fly; I was more comfortable just calming down,” said Aviation Machinist’s Mate 1st Class (AW) Richard Law, a participant attached to Fleet Logistics Squadron 61. “Once on the track you learn how to really ride a bike fast, and I don’t feel like I need to go fast anymore.”

The Navy continues to support motorcycle safety worldwide to ensure that its members are trained in safe and proper riding techniques and have resources available for advanced training and refresher training.