Volume 48, No. 23, December 14, 2006
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EASY RIDERS: At the Motorcycle Awareness Safety Check Campaign are SGTs Jeff Trenberth and Steve Crockett, WGCDR Geoff Harland, Top Rider director Bernie Hatton, WGCDR John Martin, and Shane Scicluna.
Photo by AC Aaron Curran
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By Shane Scicluna
SIXTEEN motorcycle riders from RAAF Base Amberley with different levels of experience are more safety-aware after completing an advanced rider survivor course on November 16.
The course was part of the ADF Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Campaign launched by Minister for Defence Brendan Nelson last August.
The course was held at the Willowbank raceway under instruction from the Gold Coast-based Top Rider motorcycle school.
The day started with an introduction by the chief instructor. The students received instruction in basic maintenance and checks that riders could perform to ensure their safety.
Discussions on correct and incorrect braking and cornering techniques followed, after which the students put theory into practice on their bikes. To make things more interesting, the instructors put them through a wet patch, simulated by a sprinkler on the raceway surface.
The instructors examined a wide range of motorcycle safety clothing and equipment, covering the pros and cons of several different types of leather and non-leather clothing, gloves and helmets. A short video on road craft, and instructors and students set out on a road trip to Mount Tambourine and back. The chief instructor stressed that it was important people rode at their own pace and within the speed limits, and ignored pressure to keep up with other riders.
On the ride, the instructors provided comments on each student’s riding style, highlighting both good and bad aspects, as well as offering comment about the behaviour of other motorists. The course concluded back at Willowbank with final words of wisdom. We all learned something new and refreshed our skills.
Remember. Your safety begins and ends with you; know and ride within your own limitations and the law; be alert and aware of what is happening around you at all times; and START – Speed is for Tracks And Roads are for Transport.
Further information on the Rider Survivor courses is in DI(G) Pers 55-3 of November 21, 2006.
