There was thunder on the Norfolk Naval Station this morning as members of the Navy participated in a free motorcycle safety course.
Naval Stations are no stranger to the rumbling sound of a motorcycle engine.
Due to high gas prices, an unpredictable schedule, and a shortage of parking on base, more sailors are buying motorcycles now than ever before.
The Navy knows that safety should be their number one concern.
"When you drive a motorcycle there's no guarantee that you are never going to be in an accident. It's not always about you," said CMC Greg Snaza, US Navy.
Naval Station Norfolk hosted its Fourth Annual Motorcycle Rodeo today in an effort to promote motorcycle safety.
"We owe them training. Everything that we do for them is free in the Navy so there's really not an excuse anyone has for 'I didnt get the training'."
"It's not just learning how to ride a bike, it's also watching out for everybody else, because a lot of times they don't see us," said HTC Adam Kinney, US Navy.
And their efforts appear to be working. The Navy has reduced motorcycle fatalities by 60 percent between the fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
"It is certainly a contributor. I think any time a sailor gets the right training and hops on their motorcycle it prepares them a little more for what we have on the road," Snaza said.
Motorcycle deaths are down for the whole state of Virginia for the past three years - it's a sign that safety courses could be a way to protect sailors in Hampton Roads.
"Just like they always say, live to ride, ride to live."
Naval Stations are no stranger to the rumbling sound of a motorcycle engine.
Due to high gas prices, an unpredictable schedule, and a shortage of parking on base, more sailors are buying motorcycles now than ever before.
The Navy knows that safety should be their number one concern.
"When you drive a motorcycle there's no guarantee that you are never going to be in an accident. It's not always about you," said CMC Greg Snaza, US Navy.
Naval Station Norfolk hosted its Fourth Annual Motorcycle Rodeo today in an effort to promote motorcycle safety.
"We owe them training. Everything that we do for them is free in the Navy so there's really not an excuse anyone has for 'I didnt get the training'."
"It's not just learning how to ride a bike, it's also watching out for everybody else, because a lot of times they don't see us," said HTC Adam Kinney, US Navy.
And their efforts appear to be working. The Navy has reduced motorcycle fatalities by 60 percent between the fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
"It is certainly a contributor. I think any time a sailor gets the right training and hops on their motorcycle it prepares them a little more for what we have on the road," Snaza said.
Motorcycle deaths are down for the whole state of Virginia for the past three years - it's a sign that safety courses could be a way to protect sailors in Hampton Roads.
"Just like they always say, live to ride, ride to live."
