Safety takes practice and experience and that is what Sailors from Naval Health Clinic Hawaii gained during the command's first Motorcycle Safety Ride April 10.

Seventeen motorcyclists took to the road for a safety ride around the island of Oahu. In formation with cruisers in front followed by sports bikes, riders started at the Naval Health Clinic Hawaii headquarters building and headed east with the first stop at Sandy Beach Park, then Hau'ula Beach Park and Hale'iewa Shopping Center before returning to the command.

Prior to the ride, the three road captains, Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Timora Mitchell, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Adrian Adamson and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Casey Steele were responsible for conducting a pre-ride motorcycle inspection for all riders in accordance with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation T-CLOCS guidance: Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis and Stands.

A pre-ride brief to discuss motorcycle safety was held by Steele, assistant motorcycle safety representative, Naval Health Clinic Hawaii. Steele said, "The ride is to promote motorcycle safety and awareness, from safely sharing the road with other vehicles to wearing a DOT-compliant helmet and other protective gear. The ride also fosters camaraderie and esprit de corps among the riders."

Lynn Makabe, interim safety manager, Naval Health Clinic Hawaii, said, "The safety ride is an opportunity for riders to participate in a group ride, learn group riding skills and hand signals and most importantly to improve upon their skills through observation and critique."

Capt. Andrew Findley, commanding officer, Naval Health Clinic Hawaii fully supports proactive safety initiatives such as the Motorcycle Safety Ride as a way to prevent or reduce mishaps or accidents.

For more news from Naval Health Clinic Hawaii, visit www.navy.mil/.