Staying Safe While Staying Fit

  • Published
  • By 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  With the sun rising later and setting sooner, it's important to keep safety in mind while out biking, running and walking.

The Air Force has a set of instructions for Airmen and their families that must be followed while participating in these activities while on Air Force installations and are highly encouraged to follow these instructions off base as well.

"Losing any of our Airmen for any reason is a tragedy. Losing Airman to a preventable traffic accident is failure. During the last five years there have been three bicycle fatalities and 10 pedestrian fatalities in the Air Force. Incorporating retro-reflective and brightly colored material into clothing greatly enhances your chances of being seen. If you are seen, then mishaps can be prevented. This is the goal of the Air Force, and it should be the goal of every Airman," said Staff Sergeant Michael Warstler, 7th Bomb Wing Ground Safety.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Instructions:

Individuals are not authorized to jog, run or walk on roadways with high traffic density or during peak periods.

Individuals jogging, running, or walking on road ways at night or in inclement weather (For example: fog, rain, sleet, snow, etc.) will wear clothing/accessories containing retro-reflective properties visible from the front and back.

All persons who ride a bicycle, tricycle, or other human powered vehicle, including motorized bicycles, on an AF installation roadway, to include flight lines will wear a highly visible outer garment during the day and outer garment containing retro-reflective material at night.

Wear a properly fastened, approved (For example: Consumer Product Safety Commission, ANSI, Snell Memorial Foundation or host nation equivalent) bicycle helmet.
Ensure bicycles are equipped with a white front light visible for 500 feet and red reflector or light clearly visible from the rear for 300 feet.

The use of portable headphones, earphones, cellular phones, iPods or other listening and entertainment devices (other than hearing aids) while walking, jogging and running on roadways is prohibited.

For further guidance please refer to Air Force Instruction 3.6 or contact the 7th Bomb Wing Safety Office at (325)696-5570 or 7215.