Motorcycle Training And Skills Competition Full Of Twists And Turns

Motorcycle Training And Skills Competition Full Of Twists And TurnsPhotos: Geri Koeppel/Hoodline
Geri Koeppel
Published on July 31, 2015

Around 70 law enforcement officers from as close as San Francisco and as far away as Florida and Tijuana are practicing their motorcycle skills today and competing on a timed course on Saturday on Piers 30 and 32, and the public is invited to watch.


The Third Annual International Police Motorcycle Competition and Exhibition benefiting the San Francisco Police Foundation is known as the most challenging in the state, said Officer Steve Lee of the SFPD Traffic Division, one of the organizers. The event is the "Super Bowl of motorcycle competition," he said. "It just gets bigger and better every year."

"Basically, it's a big training event," said Officer Alan Wood of the California Highway Patrol, one of the participants. "It helps us hone our skills when we're out there on the road, especially highway patrol. It's a good time to show off our skills." 


An opening ceremony at 8am tomorrow will feature the national anthems of both the United States and Mexico. A kids' bicycle obstacle course just for fun for ages 5–12 will be set up from 8am–12 tomorrow (bring your own bike and helmet), and the "Motorcycles For Kids" event will include McGruff the Crime Dog and activities. The event includes a couple of food trucks and vendor booths, plus a visit from the San Francisco Fire Department fire boat. It'll run until 5pm today and tomorrow.


The motorcycle officers will compete in four events—a three-man ride, solo ride, time track ride and tandem ride—in at least three classes, said Sgt. William Murray of the SFPD Traffic Division, who is one of the organizers. They're judged on speed and accuracy; five seconds is shaved off of their time for each cone knocked over. Trophies will be given for first, second and third place in each event and class. The classes will include BMW and Honda bikes in one class, Harley-Davidsons in another, and Kawasakis in another.

"It challenges them and makes them a better rider and safer in the streets," Lee said.