Military motorcyclists work to improve safety record

A mentorship program designed to teach safe driving habits to military motorcyclists held a group ride in October, with 40 bikers taking the day to drive 162 miles for the 15th Military Police Internment and Resettlement Brigade Motorcycle Mentorship Program Autumn Ride, according to the Fort Leavenworth Lamp newspaper.

"The program is not rank-induced in any way, we have E-4s out here that have been riding for 25 years; we have E-8s that have been riding for a year. It's about mentors being mentors, guys that have been riding who have a long history and a lot of knowledge of riding, sharing that experience with younger and less knowledgeable riders," Master Sergeant Michael Bennet told the newspaper.

Relatively high numbers of motorcycle accidents among Army personnel prompted a message from the chief of staff in 2005, which in turn led to the creation of motorcycle safety programs in the service, the Lamp reported.