Nov. 23, 2007
Q: Why is it an imperative to remove head gear when passing through the gates? I ride my bike to and from work and do not understand why, while fumbling for my ID card, I also have to remove safety equipment; my helmet, my protective glasses and any other head covering that I may be wearing. It makes no sense. These are safety items that I just have to put back on immediately after passing through the gate. At first I thought it may be for security reasons, but I know that cannot be true since I see car and motorcycle drivers passing through the gate wearing balls caps, sun glasses, and helmets. Why the double standard? Further more, why, since bicycles are vehicles (albeit non-motorized), do I have to use the pedestrian gate at all. I have been in, and/or working for the Navy, stateside and overseas, for 27 years. This is the first place that I have been required to use the pedestrian gate.

A: This question comes up every few months and the answer is still the same. A video camera surveillance system is in use at the gates. It is quite simply, a force protection measure. Everyone is required to remove their headgear (except military in uniform) while entering and exiting the pedestrian lanes of all gates. Sunglasses and safety glasses also have to be removed. If motorcycle riders were required to remove their safety equipment while coming in the vehicle lanes, it would back up vehicle traffic out on Route 16. There are many reasons to have bicyclists use the pedestrian lanes when entering or exiting the gates. • The incredibly large number of bicycles that enter/exit the base on a daily basis. Can you imagine how the traffic would look in the mornings with a few thousand bicycles trying to access the base through the vehicle lanes? • The layout of the traffic lanes at the gates. • To prevent the backing up of traffic on Route 16. • The most important reason of all, SAFETY!