Lawton Police motorcycle school teaches skills for safe riding

Motorcyclists brushing up on their skills took it from the streets to the Central Plaza parking lot behind the former Dillard’s on Saturday for the second round of the Lawton Police Department’s free motorcycle school.

Although their numbers were fewer than the first one this year, it meant more time to hone skills, said Sgt. Tanner Josey, who’s leading the class.

“Next one, hopefully, we’ll get more people,” he said. “They like, it’s more hands-on.”

The five riders were lined up between two rows of orange cones and readying for the 90-degree pullout turn. Josey said the next drill would be the emergency braking.

“That’s the fun stuff,” he said, “because they get to learn without constrictions.”

The importance of the free class is to make safer and more aware motorcycle drivers, according to Josey. It’s the only class like this offered for free in this part of the state that he knows of.

“For the past few years we’ve seen a big uptick in motorcycle crashes,” he said. “Anything we can do to help them not crash.”

Josey said three more free motorcycle schools are planned this summer. The next should be the second Saturday of July.

Requirements are a valid “L” endorsed driver’s license, a street legal motorcycle, insurance, a helmet, gloves, eye protection, a long-sleeved shirt and boots covering the ankle.

You can contact Josey if you’re interested in registering early: [email protected]; or call 580-581-3270 ext. 3186.