Command chief encourages Airmen to ride safely

Published April 22, 2016
By Staff Sgt. Debbie Lockhart
50th Space Wing Public Affairs

SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Schriever Air Force Base's command chief is not new to motorcycles. In fact, he has been riding since his senior year of high school--in 1990.

"I was looking to get something in addition to my car that was fun to ride, give me that feeling of freedom and the opportunity to go off by myself and use (riding) as therapy," said Chief Master Sgt. John Bentivegna, 50th Space Wing command chief.

Although at the time, he had never ridden, Bentivegna purchased a motorcycle from a dealership and enlisted the help of a friend who was an experienced rider to drive it home.

"My parents were extremely concerned and not necessarily supportive of me getting a motorcycle because there's not a whole lot of inherent safety features built into a motorcycle," said Bentivegna. "Even before I started to ride, there was a sit down with my parents about the safety aspect of riding a motorcycle and the dangers associated with it."

A friend taught Bentivegna to ride in the streets of Jersey City, New Jersey, but it wasn't long before his parent's concerns became a reality when, less than a year after buying the bike, Bentivegna had an accident.

"I fell on (my motorcycle) right before senior prom and my arm was in a sling because I hurt my shoulder pretty badly," said Bentivegna.

That wreck didn't deter Bentivegna from riding, but it did teach him a few important lessons he carries with him today.

"The accident I was in when I was back in high school really taught me to respect the motorcycle," said Bentivegna. "You have to know your limitations. It taught me to respect that and made me a more responsible driver."

Now, as a command chief, Bentivegna's goal is to encourage Airmen to ride safely and adhere to the Air Force requirements.

"As a command chief, safety is very important because I don't want to see anyone get hurt doing something they love to do," said Bentivegna. "It doesn't take a whole lot to get critically injured while riding a motorcycle. You want to do everything you can to protect yourself, and as active-duty Airmen, we have responsibilities to the air force."

The Air Force requires its motorcycle riders to take an initial motorcycle safety training as well as refresher training every five years. Refresher training must be equal to or greater than the previous completed course.

"Motorcycle safety courses can be found almost everywhere," said Staff Sgt. Morris Thomas, 50th Space Wing Safety Office. "Most (installation) safety offices have a list of vendors, a crosstown deal with a specific vendor or similar arrangement. All courses are typically accredited by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation or another accredited agency."

Specifically for Schriever, riders pay for the course up front and are reimbursed by the safety office upon completion. Personnel can get in touch with the Motorcycle Training Academy in order to receive training or contact their Unit Motorcycle Safety Representative.

"Go to the motorcycle safety course," said the chief. "The Air Force will pay for it. They give you a motorcycle for the basic course, so before you invest any money at all, you can go out there and ride a motorcycle (and) get your permit and your license. It gives you the opportunity to experience what it's like to ride a bike--you're weaving in and out of cones, you're making turns, you're slamming on the breaks, you're going over obstacles--they run you through all of that during the motorcycle safety course and it's all free of charge."

The safety office stresses Airmen are also expected to follow local licensing regulations, riding laws and properly follow personal protective equipment requirements.

According to Air Force Instruction 91-207, The U.S. Air Force Traffic Safety Program, proper motorcycle PPE includes:
-- A helmet that is certified to meet current Federal Motor Vehicle safety standards and is properly secured under the chin while riding.
-- Eye protection such as goggles, wrap-around glasses or a full-faced shield designed to meet or exceed American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard Z87.1, or UNECE 22.05 or BS6658.
-- Protective Clothing is required, to include long sleeved shirt or jacket, long trousers and full-fingered gloves or mittens. Motorcycle jacket and pants constructed of abrasion-resistant materials such as leather, Kevlar and/or Cordura containing impact-absorbing padding is strongly encouraged. Gloves will be made from leather or other abrasion-resistant material.
-- Riders should select PPE that incorporates fluorescent colors and retro-reflective material.
-- Foot Protection includes sturdy over-the-ankle footwear that affords protection for the feet and ankles.

Airmen who ride must also register in their Motorcycle Unit Safety Tracking Tool and can do so through their assigned Unit Motorcycle Safety Representative.

The chief recommended some additional tips for Airmen when riding.

"I highly recommend you seek other riders who have more experience than you, and find a mentor," said Bentivegna. "Find someone who has ridden for years so they can teach you. Every ride I go out, I'm a stronger rider for it. So if you are a brand new rider, it isn't like you can have someone sitting right next to you, but if you have an experienced rider with you there is someone there to help guide you as you develop your skills."

Morris agreed and encouraged all Schriever riders to follow Bentivegna's example.

"Chief is a great example for riders," said Thomas. "The enlisted (force) makes up a majority of (Schriever's) motorcycle riders. To have the command chief be a rider and communicate to others safe riding practices (is great for Airmen to see). The chief realizes the dangers of riding and is out to keep (Airmen) safe and at their best on and off duty."

For Bentivegna, motorcycle riding is his passion, but he is also very passionate about the well-being of his Airmen.

"Every role every Airman plays is critical," said Bentivegna. "So if someone is out of work because of something that happened while riding a motorcycle, it has ripple effects across the wing. Make sure your training is done, make sure you wear the right gear and you're registered in the MUSTT database so that safety offices can track you. It's all additional requirements that the Air Force leverages on us, but at the whole, it's for our own benefit."

For more information about motorcycle safety, visit www.afsec.af.mil/airforcerider or contact your Unit Motorcycle Safety Representative.