News

Blue bikes' benefits bountiful

  • Published
  • By Sandra Pishner
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  Blue skies are a great time to try blue bikes. There are 50 of them around McChord Field, including some outside of Bldg. 1216 and Bldg. 1210 on the 446th Airlift Wing campus.

Other bike locations are the dormitories outside Bldgs. 572 and 1172, and at the USO, Bldg. 1330 next to the passenger terminal.

The bikes are part of a bike share program that was developed from a suggestion during an Airmen's panel in 2010. The idea was to provide a source of transportation for Airmen who don't have access to a vehicle.

The Blue Bike program does more than help Airmen with transportation around the base. Not only is it an environmentally friendly way to get around, it can be a tool in an Airman's fitness tool bag.

"I ride the perimeter of the base (about 8.4 miles) three days a week on the Blue Gov. Jet," said Senior Master Sgt. Liz Milligan, 446th Operations Support Flight. "I normally set out at 11 a.m., and am finished by 11:50 a.m., and I do that as part of my fitness program."

Joining Milligan on these bike rides are Capt. Sarah MacSwan, Staff Sgt. Tara Lamson, and Senior Airmen Jeffrey Lowery and Laura Olson, all with the 446th OSF. Their group forms what Milligan dubs the Blue Bike Fleet.

"These blue cruisers are awesome, smooth and comfortable to ride, yet all manual output so you have to work it to get around the base in 50 minutes," said Milligan. "It's a good workout."

Rules for participating in the program are based on the honor system and include:
· Riders must be military servicemembers
· Riders must provide their own helmet and properly wear it while riding
· Bikes must remain on McChord Field
· All traffic laws must be obeyed
· Riders are not to use sidewalks and cannot take the bikes on the flightline or in base housing
· Riding after consuming alcohol is prohibited
· Bikes must be returned to designated pick-up/drop-off locations
· Bikes cannot be ridden during hours of darkness unless front and rear lights and reflective vests are used.
· Riders must not abuse the bikes or perform stunts with them
· Riders assume all risks
Front and rear flashing lights are free of charge and can be signed out on a hand receipt from program manager Tech. Sgt. Amaya Talley, 373rd Training Squadron, Detachment 12.

As program manager, Talley is responsible for ensuring user agreements are on file for riders, and for maintaining the bikes.

"We have a Facebook page and a Twitter account for anyone at any time to let us know the conditions or concerns with the bikes," said Talley. "We do inventory twice a month to be able to spot and repair bikes with issues."

The blue bike program belongs to the 62nd Airlift Wing command chief office, but all uniformed personnel may use the bikes, after they sign the user agreement/liability form.

"The liability form says the Air Force is not liable for the risks associated with riding the bicycle," said Talley. "It also says riders must follow the rules of the road, wear a helmet, wear reflective gear if need be, not ride the bikes after dark without proper lights, and use proper hand signals."

The bikes are available during the summer months, tentatively scheduled to end in October. When the blue skies disappear, so too will the blue bikes, until next summer.

Any questions, suggestions or repair requests can be directed to Talley at 982-6965.