YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention more than 500,000 people in the U.S. are treated in emergency departments and more than 700 people die as a result of bicycle-related injuries each year.
Although automobiles should always be on the lookout for bicyclists, it is important for bicyclists to remember the following tips to help avoid collisions with automobiles and remain safe while riding.
-Ride with the same direction as traffic flow and obey all traffic laws.
-Look before turning.
-Yield to traffic when appropriate.
-Don't ride in an automobile's blind spot.
"Riding safely both on and off base presents our Yokota Airmen and their families with many challenges -- the number of riders on the road, congested traffic, unfamiliar signs and ever-present construction," said Lt. Col. Brian Porter, 374th Airlift Wing chief of safety.
According to the safety office, the following are some rules and regulations for bicycling on Yokota:
- Bicycle riders on the roadways are subject to the same traffic laws as motorized vehicles.
- Sidewalks are not an authorized travel path for bicycles, except children in family housing, when it doesn't interfere with pedestrian traffic.
- Bicycle riders must wear an approved safety helmet while riding.
- When operating a bicycle at night, riders must ensure bicycles are equipped with a light visible from 500 feet in front of the bicycle.
- Bicycles must have a rear reflector, visible from 300 feet, affixed to the rear of the bicycle.
- Stereo headphones must not be worn while operating a motorized or non-motorized vehicle.
- Bicycles operated on the roadway must stay in a single file, and remain as far to the left as safely possible.
- Bicyclists, skateboarders, and roller-skaters must not be towed by any other vehicle. It is the sponsor parent or guardian who is responsible for ensuring safe operations for children.
"Although wearing the appropriate protective gear and using safe riding practices help, there is no substitute for sound judgment and vigilance," said Colonel Porter. "Frankly, it comes down to mass when a cyclist is involved in an accident. As my Grandma Healy used to say, whether the tea cup hits the stone or the stone hits the tea cup, it's going to be bad for the tea cup."
Information provided is not meant to be all-inclusive. For more information, refer to Air Force Instruction 91-207, Air Force Traffic Safety Program. Local supplements can be found on the
Yokota New Comers page.