Bike to Work day means extra caution

By USAG-Aberdeen Proving GroundMay 19, 2010

Bike to Work day means extra caution
The military is no stranger to the Bike to Work program. At Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., Tech Sgt. Catherine Gsell, 21st Dental Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of training at the Area Dental Lab, rides into the sports and fitness center... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. -- On Thursday, May 20, Aberdeen Proving Ground will promote the national Bike to Work Program by providing Rally Points for all who bike to the Installation.

Officials said drivers may see more bicycle riders traveling to and around the installation than you are used to. With this increased bicycle traffic, motorists are asked to increase awareness of cyclists and to "Share the Road."

"This is especially true in areas where there are no bicycle lanes, where there is little or no shoulder or where potholes or rough patches may cause cyclists to change their paths," said Robert W. Krauer, Garrison emergency services director. "Cyclists will follow all the normal procedures of other vehicles, such as stopping for stop signs and red lights, indicating turns when appropriate by using hand and arm signals, yielding to traffic that has the right of way, riding with the flow of traffic (except when dismounted, at which time regulations pertaining to pedestrians apply/walk against traffic), and not behaving in an unpredictable manner."

Garrison officials remind all bicyclists to wear properly fitting safety helmets, utilize a brightly reflective belt or vest, and fully enclosed shoes.

"The wearing of portable headphones, earphones or other portable listening devices is prohibited," Krauer said. "Bicycles must also be equipped with a suitable headlight visible at 500 feet to the front and a red reflector on the rear visible at 300 feet."

Aberdeen Proving Ground APG employees participating in the event and riding to the installation from an off post address should use the 22 Gate for the Aberdeen Area, and the 24 Gate for the Edgewood area.

"They have safer road conditions than the other gates available to access the installation," Krauer said.

There are many reasons to participate in this activity, according to garrison officials: environmental stewardship, health and fitness, and even thrift.

"Whatever the reason, taking appropriate safety measures and applying basic rules of safety and courtesy will make this event a safe and successful one," Krauer said.

For information on bicycle safety or on the Bike To Work program, visit the <a href="http://www.apgmwr.com/">garrison online</a>, click on the Events link and scroll to the Bike to Work section, or contact Ralph Cuomo at (410) 278-3812.

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