Staff Sgt. Andrew Arellano, right, battalion master driver and motorcycle mentor, 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, inspects the serviceability of the front tire of the motorcycle of Sgt. 1st Class Zachary Davidson, platoon sergeant, 183rd Support Maintenance Company, 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Inf. Div., during a motorcycle safety inspection Aug. 31, 2016. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Diandra J. Harrell)
By Staff Sgt. Diandra J. Harrell
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
Motorcyclists from across the Mountain Post participated in a motorcycle inspection to check for safety issues, licensing and proper training documents, Aug. 31, 2016, through Sept. 1, 2016.
The purpose of the inspection, which was overseen by the 4th Infantry Division and garrison safety offices, was to identify and document deficiencies riders may have and then for their chain of command to correct them, said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Shane Chisholm, post motorcycle safety program coordinator and officer in charge for motorcycle inspections.
“Out of about 700 riders that my assistant and I are tracking, around 400 are out of tolerance,” said Chisholm.
“The (commanding general) wants to ensure that every rider and unit is doing their part and ensuring riders are complying with Army Regulations and (U.S. Army Forces Command) standards.”
The event began as riders entered the building 1005 parking lot near the garrison headquarters. They formed a line and waited their turn in the inspection area.
“The riders will get their bikes inspected by TCLOCS (tires, controls, lights and electronics, oils and other fluids, chassis and stand) standards from the (Motorcycle Safety Foundation),” Chisolm explained.
Following TCLOCS, the riders moved to the final station to have their driver’s licenses, registration, insurance, Motorcycle Safety Foundation cards — that includes Basic Riders Course I and II, and motorcycle safety refresher documentation, verified.
“This inspection (took) no more than 10 minutes for experienced riders,” Chisolm said. “Riders with one year or less experience (participated in) three exercises on their bikes to ensure they can safely operate their bike and they can maneuver quickly should an emergency situation present itself.”
The inspections were scheduled just ahead of the holiday weekend.
Soldiers have their driver’s licenses, registration and insurance documents verified during a motorcycle safety inspection Aug. 31, 2016. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Diandra J. Harrell)
“This is Labor Day weekend and there will be a lot of traffic, so I want the new riders to be safe and ride within their limits and experience,” he said.
After their paperwork was verified, novice riders conducted motorcycle refresher training (MRT), consisting of a serpentine, weaves and a quick stop.
Spc. Sheldon Norman, retransmission team chief, 534th Signal Company, 4th Sustainment Bridge, 4th Inf. Div., said the inspection was a chance to see where he can improve.
“I’ve only been riding for a short time, so going through the MRT helped give me more confidence in my bike,” he said. “I can see (that) I still have much to learn.”
Following the inspections and MRT for new riders, the motorcyclists rode back to their respective units to conduct daily operations.
About 320 riders were inspected during the two-day event.
“The inspections went very smoothly,” Chisholm said.
“I am proud of the Soldiers who were able to help, and I appreciate the support from each of the brigades under 4ID that supplied personnel to assist in the inspection process.
“I appreciate all of the units that did the right thing and currently support all safety programs. The motorcycle community is a high-risk community, and with the support of all of the commanders and leaders across Fort Carson, this has been a very successful year as there has not been a single on-road motorcycle fatality (during) this fiscal 2016 riding season. Thank you all, and keep the shiny side up.”