Commander's Airmail

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KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico --  New motorcycle safety rules apply to all riders on base

I don't understand why the security guards are going above the requirements posted in the Nucleus several weeks ago.

I wear a vest that contrasts with my long-sleeved shirt and the guards informed me that it had to be brightly colored (lime green) and wouldn't let me on base. As a civilian, I was told I had to follow AFI 91-207, but all I have access to is the base paper.

It seems that the motorcyclist is always being forced to be the defensive one when it's cars that don't see us and a vest doesn't make us any more visible. Why not make them take a mandatory motorcycle awareness course?

What about the cyclists that ride 25 mph -- why aren't they required to wear long pants, over-the-ankle boots and full-fingered gloves? No difference once they're on base. Yes, I'm a little disgruntled and am thinking about parking the motorcycle when coming on base.

Motorcycles are a great method of transportation, whether going to work, for recreational purposes or in daily life. However, having an accident, whether it results in minor or serious injuries or damages, is worth taking a few precautions.

In accordance with AFI 91-204, motorcyclists will wear the following items:

· a helmet designed to meet or exceed Department of Transportation standards,

· goggles, wrap-around glasses or a full-face shield, properly attached to helmet, designed to meet or exceed American National Standards Institute Standard Z87.1 for impact and shatter resistance -- windshields do not constitute proper eye protection,

· long-sleeved shirt or jacket,

· long trousers,

· full-fingered gloves,

· sturdy over-the-ankle footwear that affords protection for the feet and ankles (durable athletic shoes that cover the ankles may be worn),

· brightly-colored outer upper garment during the day, and a reflective upper garment during the night and

· Outer upper garment shall be visible and not covered.

· Wear of a motorcycle jacket and pants constructed of abrasion resistant materials such as leather, Kevlar®, and/or Cordura® containing impact absorbing padding are strongly encouraged.

All personnel operating a motorcycle on base must also have attended and passed a certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation course to ride on base.

Additions to these policies can also be located in our local base instruction, KAFBI 31-204, which is updated annually.

This particular instruction allows me the opportunity to impose a higher standard of compliance based on factors such as accident trends, amount of overall vehicular traffic, terrain and any other unique concerns regarding public safety.

With that said, on Kirtland AFB, you must wear an upper outer garment containing a minimum of 144 square inches of bright/contrasting colors such as international orange, international red or international yellow. The garment must be reflective for use during hours of darkness and limited visibility.

AFIs can be found at http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/afpubs.asp.
KAFBIs can be found on the Air Force Portal. After logging in click My Base, under Base-Orgs-Functional Areas, then Business Operations.

Who do you call to report cell phone regulation violations?

I was on base this morning and I thought cell phone use was not allowed? I got the New Mexico license plate of a person in a pickup truck coming down Gibson, almost to the gate. He was on his cell phone as he drove off the base all the way down Gibson.

I thought they weren't supposed to? They don't even see you when they are on their cell phones and driving. If you can please let me know who is the right person to contact when you have something like this happen. I think they aren't supposed to use the handheld cell phones, unless you have that handless ear-piece.

Thank you for contacting us regarding the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle. This information was passed on to our base Law Enforcement Section.

You are correct; a hands-free device must be utilized while talking on a cell phone and operating a motor vehicle on Kirtland Air Force Base. I do ask that you contact the Kirtland Law Enforcement Desk in the future at 846-7913 if you observe any traffic complaints. This will provide the information to the Law Enforcement Section in a quick and timely manner allowing them the opportunity to take immediate action to resolve the issue.