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SUBJ/MOTORCYCLE SAFETY MONTH//

RMKS/1.  May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month!  As the weather improves 
and more motorcycles are on the road, let us take this time to focus our 
efforts, increase our communications, and emphasize the importance of 
motorcycle safety.  It is imperative that we are vigilant about proper riding 
techniques, appropriate type and wear of personal protective equipment, and 
awareness of our riding environment (i.e., weather, traffic, terrain, and
surface) to optimize the riding experience.

2.  Motorcycle safety is essential to everyone who drives on the road for two
reasons:  First, you likely have family, friends, or shipmates who ride 
motorcycles.  Second, you share the road with motorcycles daily on your local 
roadways, highways, and neighborhoods.

3.  According to the Department of Transportation, per vehicle miles 
traveled, the fatality rate for motorcycle riders was approximately 28 times 
that of drivers and passengers in cars.  Unfortunately, the Department of the 
Navy (DON) has realized similar tragic statistics.  As of the release of this 
ALNAV, the DON has lost 18 of our Sailors and Marines (10 x Navy, 8 x
Marines) to motorcycle crashes since October 2023.  This number is more than 
we have lost due to on-duty mishaps and almost twice the number from 
fatalities of 4-wheel motor vehicle mishaps.
    a.  Familiarize yourself with the safety measures provided by the 
Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) to enhance road safety.
    b.  Take an extra moment to look for motorcycle riders.  Because of its 
small size, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car's blind spots, so 
check - then check again - before changing lanes or turning.
    c.  Predict a motorcycle's proximity.  Because of its small size, a 
motorcycle may look further away than it is and it may be difficult to judge 
its speed.  When checking traffic to turn at an intersection, or out of a 
driveway, assume a motorcycle is closer than it appears.
    d.  Keep a safe distance.  Motorcycle riders often slow down by rolling 
off the throttle or downshifting, which does not activate the brake light, so 
allow more following distance (recommend three - four seconds).
    e.  Understand lane shifting.  Motorcycle riders often adjust their 
position within a lane to be seen more easily and to minimize the effects of 
road debris, passing vehicles, and wind.  Understand that motorcycle riders 
adjust their lane position for a purpose, not to show off or to allow you to 
share the lane with them.

4.  The MSF provides excellent information and guidelines.  In addition, 
there are outstanding resources that our commanding officers, Motorcycle 
Safety Representatives, and individuals should leverage to become more 
informed riders.  Two such websites are the United States Department of 
Transportation and the MSF, which provide well-defined strategies, data, and 
information.
    a.  United States Department of Transportation: 
https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/
    b.  MSF:  https://msf-usa.org/

5.  In addition, the DON safety enterprise also provides a thorough 
repository of information through the official DON policy, OPNAVINST 
5100.12J/MCO 5100.29C, or via the Naval Safety Command or Commandant, Marine 
Corps Safety Division websites.
    a.  Naval Safety Command:  https://navalsafetycommand.navy.mil/
    b.  Marine Corps Safety Division:  https://www.safety.marines.mil/
 
6.  As the weather warms up and we spend more time outdoors, more motorcycle 
riders will be on the roads.  I encourage all riders to refresh on the 
fundamentals of riding, ensure your motorcycle is in good operating 
condition, and check your protective equipment for full functionality.
Commanders and Motorcycle Safety Representatives take advantage of Motorcycle 
Safety Month and integrate motorcycle safety information into your local 
command content to highlight hazardous roads or conditions in your area, 
proper personal protective equipment, good decision making and adherence to 
procedures and posted road signage.  Riding motorcycles is exciting and fun, 
but only if done safely.  Let's make sure we do all we can to keep our 
Sailors, Marines, and the general population motorcycle-safe.

7.  Course enrollment schedules for Navy and Marine Corps course offerings 
are posted on the Enterprise Safety Application Management Systems Navy 
Motorcycle Rider Training Registration web page at:
http://www.navymotorcyclerider.com/.

8.  Released by the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy.//

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