HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Members of the community here can participate in Bike to Work Week May 16 through 19, with National Bike to Work Day on May 20.
Organizers observe National Bike to Work Day annually on the third Friday in May to increase riders’ physical fitness and fuel savings, while decreasing automobile congestion and carbon emissions.
“There are so many benefits of biking to work,” said Daniel Smothers, 66th Civil Engineering Division Employee Vehicle Certification and Reporting Systems task manager. “It’s good for our minds and bodies, but also the environment.”
While there is no distance limit for Hanscom members biking to work, Smothers emphasized the importance of implementing proper safety measures for riders.
According to the Hanscom Occupational Safety Office, riders on the installation must wear a properly-fitted helmet, utilize front, rear, and wheel reflectors, and utilize a headlight or taillight in hours of darkness. Headphones are not permitted while biking on the installation.
Additional bike safety information is on the Occupational Safety Office SharePoint site at https://usaf.dps.mil/teams/12410/Quest%20for%20Zero/default.aspx.
Bike to Work Week is part of the larger state-wide initiative of Bay State Bike Month, when riders across Massachusetts can participate in events and ride challenges throughout the Commonwealth.
Interested personnel can find additional events and tracking challenge forms at www.baystatebikemonth.org/.