Can your unit tell you that you can not ride your motorcycle unless you have a doctor's note saying you can?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 14:15:06 -0400

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2017 2:17 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 14:17:33 -0400

My profile doesn't say anything about not being able to. I have vision therapy because my eyes have hard time un focusing and refocusing but my NCOIC thinks I go because I cant see. She told me I need a doctors note. Just confused on the situation.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Mar 22 at 2017 2:19 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 14:19:39 -0400

INHO...hecks naw...unless you are on a medical profile that would seem to limit your ability to ride...pretty much self critiquing. But even then if you are crazy enough to get on motorcycle then, well then you get what you get.

Response by 1SG Mike Case made Mar 22 at 2017 2:21 PM

1SG Mike Case — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 14:21:25 -0400

Well, if you have a hard time focusing and refocusing, do you feel riding a motorcycle is a wise choice? When reaction time could be the difference between life and death, do you really want to risk it to ride your motorcycle? Now, I will not pit you against your NCOIC, but as NCO's we can't restrict you from things like that, but maybe, just maybe that NCO is looking out for your best interest and is asking you to get medical clearance from a professional, just to ensure you will be ok.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Mar 22 at 2017 2:32 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 14:32:54 -0400

Yes they can tell you that you can't ride a motor cycle. But I've never heard of the doctor's note thing. Typically in order to receive permission to ride a personal motorcycle you need to meet 3 requirements.

1.) You need to pass the motorcycle basic rider's course.
2.) You need to join the unit motorcycle club and attend scheduled rides
3.) You must be wearing proper PPE at all times of operation.

Those were literally the only requirements I've seen on motorcycle riders and as you can see, it's mainly to ensure you know how to properly and safely operate one. This doctor's note thing is a weird excuse, but yes your command can tell you not to ride a motorcycle for safety reasons.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Mar 22 at 2017 3:03 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 15:03:44 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member I am going with "NO!" Unless you have something impeding your ability to ride a motorcycle, then NO...you should be able to ride it. As long as you have the proper license to ride, insurance for coverage and inspection with passing grade, there is no reason you cannot ride your bike...... Your UNIT doesn't have the right to tell you that you cannot ride your motorcycle unless it comes from the top and is applied to everyone.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2017 3:09 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 15:09:47 -0400

Based on vague information about a vision problem yes they can prohibit you from riding if they see it as a safety issue.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2017 3:58 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 15:58:52 -0400

What is the problem getting a doctor's note? I agree with your NCOIC.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2017 4:40 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 16:40:03 -0400

Never heard that before, you just have to go through the service motorcycle class and follow the the rules.

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Mar 22 at 2017 5:20 PM

Capt Jeff S. — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 17:20:54 -0400

One has to wonder why the CO doesn't require a doctor's note to drive a car if you have a problem focusing your eyes... You could run a pedestrian over if your eyes didn't focus and you missed seeing them...

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 22 at 2017 8:11 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 20:11:26 -0400

Based on what you have posted, I would say, Yes, and no..
Forbid? No, Require your vision problem that is so severe you are being MEB'ed for it to be reviewed by a medical doctor and get their determination if you are safe to operate a motor vehicle YES.. And Said Commander would be well inside there authority.

1: Do you have a vision problem? YES
2: Is it of such severity you are possible no longer fit for duty? YES
2: Is your NCO or CDR a medical Doc that can determine if its safe for you to operate a motor vehicle? NO.
3: Have you had your vision issue evaluated by a medical Doc to determine if they feel it is safe to operate a motor vehicle? Sounds like not yet..
So if I were your CofC you would be hoofing it until your eye Doc appointment and medical evaluation..and not an IG in the service is going to tell a Commander they cant enforce that requirement.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2017 9:44 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 21:44:23 -0400

I appreciate all the info. I don't have a problem with actually seeing just have a lot of headaches due to the vision. Maybe down the road I might have vision problems I just have to get the VA for that. Thanks Everyone.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2017 10:01 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 10:01:46 -0400

No they can't tell you to not ride your bike or drive a car, they can recommend. The base commander can take your base driving privileges away though which will prevent you from riding on base since that is not a right but a privilege.

Response by CWO4 Tim Hecht made Mar 23 at 2017 4:16 PM

CWO4 Tim Hecht — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 16:16:36 -0400

If only it was that easy....on my first day at my new unit I rode into work. In civvies no one really knew who I was. One E-5 approached me as I was getting off my bike and asked me if I wanted to "race." I said give me a chance to settle into my new job, as the base Supply Officer. Even that went over his head! I walked into my new digs and on of my guys said: "I see you met so and so already - the base m/c accident waiting to happen!" He went on to tell me about the guy's last disaster, going through the Caldecott Tunnel (East Bay of San Francisco) where while dragging a knee at too fast of a speed, he shattered his knee cap on a "Bott's Dot. Those are the reflective bumps between lanes on the freeways...

Int roducinrg myself to the Base Engineer he said I see you already met so and so; I said yes, I suspect we'll have to attend his funeral someday for riding too fast. Little did I know just how close that was to being true. His boss and I decided to do an intervention on him regarding unsafe motorcycle riding and sat him down and told him one day we'd be mourning his loss.

Didn't work. I came into work one Monday and my guy said he did you hear about so and so yet? Fearing the worst I said no, what did he do, kill him self? Not quite; riding near Santa Cruz he was following the bike in front of his too close, too fast. What saved his life from a 400-500 feet drop off the side of the road was sliding into the support beam of a guard rail, breaking both legs; and stopping abruptly when his crotch hit the vertical rail support (had it not been for both broken legs I suspect the stopping because of the 4"x4" post would have really hurt!

Did he learn his lesson? Nope, as soon as he was out of the full body cast and doing physical therapy he was looking for a new bike. Repeat after me: dumbass...

Unfortunately we (the Engineer, Executive Officer, and I) wanted to give him a no riding motorcycle letter but couldn't! He was a shining example of yes, he should have been restricted free m ever sitting on a m/c....ever!