News

Newlywed crashes motorcycle

  • Published
  • By Sandra Pishner
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  It's the little things that will get you. No matter how educated you are to the risks, there will come a day when the gremlins come out and get you. That was the case for Senior Airman Justin Blackner in October.

Blackner, a Reservist with the 446th Civil Engineer Squadron, is a 22-year-old motorcycle enthusiast - currently sans motorcycle. His 2009 Yamaha R6 was totaled Oct. 1, no more than 50 to 75 feet away from his driveway in Lakewood, Wash.

Fortunately, Blackner is also an enthusiast for motorcycle safety and was wearing all the proper safety gear when he hit the pavement and rolled.

"It happened in the morning on my way to work," said Blackner. "It was a very cold morning, and the road was dry. I always take a towel to wipe down my seat from dew, and that morning there was a lot more than usual. On this main road that curves, there are bott dots, which are those little raised pavement markings that go all the way around the corner. Usually I try to cross the dots in a more perpendicular direction, but I kind of rode straight with them. I think with the combination of dew on the plastic dots, my tires being cold, and me riding with them and not straight against them as I was accelerating just caused my rear tire to kick out.

"My bike went off into the bushes and I rolled a couple of times. I remember hitting my head and thinking there is no way this is happening to me. One of the neighbors came out to see if I was okay, and then I had to call my new wife - she was not very happy," said Blacker, who had just gotten married Sept. 22.

As a military member, Blackner was required to take the motorcycle basic riders course in order to drive on Joint Base Lewis-McChord. He also took the sports bike advance riders course after he got his Yamaha R6.

The safe operation of a motorcycle requires practiced skill, knowledge, and a respectful understanding of the limitations imposed by the operator, the machine, and the environment for which these pieces interact, according to Master Sgt. Bruce Perkins, 446th Airlift Wing Safety Office ground safety assistant and motorcycle safety representative. Joint Base Lewis-McChord and other DoD locations offer motorcycle safety courses to its motorcycle riders free of charge. Even the more advanced courses such as Sport Bike Rider and Advanced Rider Courses are free.

"Along with the above safety courses, there are also two motorcycle riders clubs, Green Knights and Wings on Wheels that offer not only motorcycle safety education and draw together individuals who have a joy of riding, but also gathers highly experienced riders to help develop the skills members need to become safe, responsible motorcyclists," said Perkins.

So even after taking the required safety course, how did Blackner end up totaling his beloved bike?

"Inexperience," he said. "Mainly in the past I've only ridden in the summer when it's been warm. This was a very cold morning, with frost and dew on the ground. I attribute it to not limiting my factors."

According to Blackner, he learned in the safety courses that it's not just about being aware of other drivers. It's about limiting your risk factors.

"I think the mentality that they shared with us was different then what I had ever thought of before and I found that beneficial," he said.

"There are risks everywhere you go, but to be able to pick out the risks and not let them pile up on you, leading to an accident, helps you minimize the risks," said the 446th CES structural specialist.

"If my tires were warm this probably wouldn't have been a problem; they would have been able to grip. I didn't limit the risks on that morning," Blackner explains.

Aside from a big contusion on his shoulder and hip, Blackner come out of the accident "okay."

"I was wearing - and this is a requirement in the military - full leather gloves, had my leather jacket on, my reflective vest and my helmet. It would have been a whole lot worse if I hadn't been wearing my safety gear," said Blackner, who works as a lifeguard and swim teacher at a local school.

Blackner advises other motorcycle enthusiasts to make sure they take all the required safety courses, at a minimum, and to maintain their bike, have the right riding gear, and let the bike warm up. And watch out for the little things.