Action line #80514 - Hot weather biking

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

My suggestion deals with those who have to ride bicycles in the summer months. This may have been previously brought up and you already have an answer.

I ask that individuals riding bikes be allowed to remove their ABU/BDU top while riding during a pre-set time of the year (hottest months). Proper wear of the top will be enforced when it starts to cool off.

As with motorcycle riders the rules for bike riding allows for altering the uniform for safety purposes. I feel this could be carried over to bicycle riders also. While on a bike and motorcycle, and wearing the appropriate helmet in either situation, we aren't required to salute and are technically not in uniform anyways. Unlike motorcycles, though, we are not traveling at a speed dangerous enough to necessitate the wearing of the protective gear on the torso. The ABU/BDU jacket can be removed and stowed. The ABU/BDU top should immediately be donned as soon as the individual is off the bike and of course immediate adherence to proper AF customs and courtesies will apply. There are no guidelines documented that I know of that have to do with proper wear of the uniform while riding a bike.

As I mentioned earlier safety is also a concern. The new ABU's are a much thicker non-breathable material and frankly very uncomfortable in hot weather. Some people have not acclimated to the extreme heat and humidity that comes with living in Turkey. While I and many other bike riders are in good physical shape, riding a bike around base in 125 degree weather with 90% humidity is not safe. It could lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke which will possibly interfere with mission capability.

With your permission, riding a bike at Incirlik will be much more comfortable and could possibly convince more people to ride more often thus saving gas, preserving the environment and, of course, more physically beneficial.

Is this a possibility?

Response:

Bicycles provide a wonderful means of transportation for many here at Incirlik. Our bike riders take advantage of the close proximity of most base facilities, enjoy the added benefit of burning calories instead of expensive gasoline, and avoid the challenge of finding a parking spot. As for your suggestion that we allow bike riders remove their BDU/ADU shirt, we simply cannot allow that. Although AFIs allow for the wear of additional items such as "safety items, rain suits and snowmobile suits" as you imply, they do not allow for the removal of uniform items like the BDU/ABU shirt. In fact, the AFI is specific in allowing removal of the BDU/ABU shirt only in the immediate work area. This does not include transiting to and from the work area while riding a bike.

To help survive the summer heat, you may consider wearing the lighter BDU as that is still an authorized uniform. Additionally, some folks preposition uniforms in their workplace and change into them there, allowing them to wear a T-shirt and shorts to and from the office. This technique requires a little extra planning but alleviates the problem you mention.

Finally, I encourage everyone to monitor their intake of liquids during the summer. As you correctly highlight, dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are real threats here and drinking plenty of water while limiting outdoor activities during the heat of the day will mitigate that threat.