Action Line #90502 – Bike riding

  • Published
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Complaint: 

I have a complaint that I would like to share. I know as the weather continues to warm up and the rain ceases, there will be more and more bicyclists out on the road. Is there any written policy on the "rules of the road" when it pertains to riding a bicycle on Incirlik AB? Are bicyclists supposed to obey the same traffic laws as an automobile? I ask as I have had two instances in the past week where I have almost run over a bicyclist with my car as they have failed to stop at a stop sign and just have shot through the intersection. From what I have been told around the office, what I have experienced is nothing new and is a regular occurrence. However, these are not children, but adults. Now I am not a bicycle "hater" by any means. My whole family each owns one and we enjoy riding them responsibly on a regular basis. I guess the key word there is responsibly.

Could you also shed some light on where bicycles can be ridden and where they are not allowed? For instance, are bikes allowed on sidewalks? I have had an incident coming from building 812 where the individual riding the bike was on the sidewalk and jumped onto the street in front of me (and my car) to avoid running into pedestrians walking on the sidewalk. There are bike lanes on some of the streets, right? Maybe a "rules of the road" briefing for bicycle riding could be added to base orientation when an individual first arrives and also add a briefing at future Town Hall meetings for those of us already here. I just think something should be done before someone gets seriously hurt in an accident.

Response: 

Thanks for highlighting this important issue. As you are aware, with the mild weather here and the small distances to navigate from end to end on the base, there is a high volume of bicycle traffic that motorist contend with while operating their vehicles on Incirlik.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the requirements for riding a bicycle on any Air Force installation come from AFI 31-204 and AFI 91-207 (as supplemented by USAFE and the local installation). The answer to the majority of your questions can be found in the Incirlik supplement to AFI 31-204 (para 15.8.4.): "Bicycles operated on any street, roadway or parking lot shall obey all traffic rules and receive the same penalties that apply to motor vehicles. IAW para 15.8.4.2., operating bicycles on any sidewalk is prohibited; however, I would like to note that as you stated, we do have some designated bike paths that are shared between pedestrians and bicyclist. Both pedestrians and bicyclist must pay attention when sharing these thoroughfares.

Everyone who rides a bicycle on Incirlik is required to wear a properly fastened and approved (Consumer Product Safety Commission {CPSC}, American National Standards Institute {ANSI} or Snell Memorial Foundation) bicycle helmet along with a reflective outer garment when riding during periods of reduced visibility.

Additionally, the wing safety office briefs the safety rules for the operation of bicycles on Incirlik during Newcomer's Orientation. Although the time is very limited in that format we ensure all newly assigned members are briefed on the location and use of bike routes on base, and traffic rules when riding on the roadway.

Thanks for taking the time to write.