ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Over the past few months the 78th Air Base Wing Safety Office has received multiple calls concerning questions related to civilians and Air Force Motorcycle Safety personal protective equipment requirements. 

In September 2013 there were a few changes to the Air Force Motorcycle Safety Program, but removing PPE requirements for any riders was not one of them - long sleeves are still required.

Civilian riders are no longer required to participate in the Air Force Motorcycle Safety Program. That means civilians who ride a motorcycle to and from work as their primary mode of transportation no longer have to comply with tracking or training requirements associated with the program and Military Unit Safety Tracking Toll.

Civilian riders must continue to comply with all Air Force requirements related to PPE. 

The current PPE requirements are as follows:

-- IAW Department of Defense Instruction 6055.04 and Air Force Instruction 91-207 Airmen and civilians can now ride a motorcycle without wearing high visibility personal protective equipment (orange/yellow vest).  Although, no longer mandatory, it is still highly encouraged for riders to wear  clothing that makes them more visible to other motorists.

Active duty and civilian riders are still required wear the following PPE:
-- Department of Transportation  approved helmets
-- Full-fingered gloves made of leather or abrasion-resistant material
-- Long-sleeved shirt or jackets*
-- Long trousers*
-- Eye protection (goggles, wrap around glasses or full-face shield) Must meet ANSI Std. Z87.1
-- Foot protection (sturdy over the ankle footwear to protect feet and ankles)

*Jackets, pants constructed of abrasion resistant materials (Kevlar/Cordura) containing impact absorbing padding is strongly encouraged.

If a civilian employee is required to ride a motorcycle as a part of their official duties he or she will be identified and required to follow the guidance set forth in AFI 91-207, (para. 1.1.). They will be identified by their supervisor and referred to their Unit motorcycle safety representative at which time they will be tracked in MUSTT and required to follow all AF Motorcycle Safety Program requirements to include PPE while performing assigned duties.