Wheels of steel: practice safety on skateboards, bicycles Published May 8, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Dillon Davis 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Department of Defense members and their families are required to follow all safety requirements when skateboarding or bicycling on and off base in accordance with Air Force Instruction 91-207, The U.S. Air Force Traffic Safety Program. This AFI identifies personal protective equipment for riding a bicycle as a helmet and reflective gear as well as a helmet, elbow and knee pads, and wrist guards for riding skateboards. Wearing the required equipment can help prevent injuries such as bruises, concussions, bone fractures, brain trauma, and in serious cases, death. Traffic safety regulations mandate people ride skateboards in skate parks or on sidewalks. People 10 years old or younger may ride a bicycle on the sidewalk as long as they are not creating a hazard to pedestrians. Cyclists older than 10 years old must ride on approved cyclist paths when available and on the far right side of the road in a single-file line unless in a group of 15 cyclists or more. "It is hard for people to understand the importance of not following safety regulations until you see something serious happen to a family member, friend or someone close to you, but when it happens, it can dramatically change your opinion on safety," said Klaus van den Boom, 52nd Fighter Wing Safety Office safety and occupational health specialist. Van den Boom went on to say that in order to improve safety, every person must do his or her part to spread the word and help others understand the consequences of not following safety policies. Following the implemented safety guidelines while skateboarding or bicycling not only benefits the person doing the activity, but also keeps DOD members and their families safe and ready to complete the U.S. Air Force mission. Serious injuries to these people takes manpower away from necessary operations and creates a void that cannot be filled. Even injuries to family members can take a toll on the mission by causing unnecessary stress, worry and distractions for mission-essential family members, creating a loss of productivity and efficiency. "Safety regulations are written in blood," said Staff Sgt. Nicholas Giordano, 52nd Fighter Wing Safety Office safety and occupational health specialist. "If there was blood involved in the incident, then there was probably a regulation created after it." Local skateboard and bicycle safety requirements are implemented by the Lackland Air Force Base Safety Center and are based off of U.S. and host nation traffic regulations. The current safety policies were created because of past incidents and investigations that proved the need for increased safety. "Taking the time to wear the required safety equipment is worth saving the rest of your life," said Capt. Jeff Garber, 52nd Fighter Wing Legal Office chief of administrative law. Garber went on to say it is important to perform all safety requirements when skateboarding and bicycling because if Airmen are injured during these activities without wearing the proper protective equipment or not following proper safety instructions they can be punished under Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice for dereliction of duty or failure to obey a lawful order. People can purchase safety personal protective equipment and other safety gear at the Exchange, outdoor recreation center, sporting goods stores and online.