MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Marine Corps Air Station Miramar offered a three-day motorcycle safety class last month at no cost to service members to teach them the proper riding skills.

The bi-monthly class is offered by the Safety Office on base and is mandatory for service members in order to operate a motorcycle on any military installation.

According to Marine Corps Order 5100.19E, any active-duty Marine operating motorcycles on or off base must complete a rider or operator course at no cost to the military personnel.

Taking the course is not only mandatory if service members want to ride on base, it can also save their lives, according to Linda Jackowski, supervisory safety specialist, MCAS Miramar.

Miramar Marines have had three motorcycle incidents last month alone, including one that resulted in a fatality. None of them took the course, Jackowski added.

It is important that Marines and sailors on the air station take advantage of this course and practice Occupational Risk Management all the time, explained Dan Jaquez, safety specialist, MCAS Miramar.

“This class is required for all riders,” Jaquez said. “It’s very important. It gives the riders the basic skills of riding a motorcycle and also re-enforces often lost skills.”

The class consists of one, eight-hour-day spent in a class room going over motorcycle safety and ending with a two-day, hands-on portion of the course where service members learn how to operate the motorcycle safely as well as the proper personal protection gear required to legally ride it on base.

After completing the course, service members are required to take a 1-day refresher course known as the experienced rider course every three years.

Motorcycles are used by many to decrease the cost in gas and have the ability to cut through the often heavy California traffic, according to William Jacobson, a police officer with the San Diego Police Department.

“Lane straddling can cut down on a riders commute time, but motorcyclists need to be especially careful,” Jacobson said. “They can be cited or worse, get in an accident because of their negligence.”

According to Jacobson, lane straddling is when a motorcyclist drives down the center white lines on a highway or freeway to pass through stopped or slowed down traffic. It becomes a problem when riders cut through lanes too fast, or with no traffic, both of which are citable offenses to the motorist.

“For a person who knows nothing about riding a motorcycle it will build confidence,” said Sgt. Joshua Carlson, telephone and computer repair chief, Marine Wing Communications Squadron 48, Marine Aircraft Wing 46, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. “It teaches Marines to become proficient in basic riding skills.”

For more information on the next motorcycle safety course, Dan Jaquez can be contacted at 858-577-8595.