MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Regulations for motorcycles aboard Miramar will change, requiring riders to wear their safety vests at all hours.

According to Maj. Edmond P. Zaide Jr., Marine Corps Air Bases Western Area director of safety, a revision to Air Station Order 5100.2A will now require motorcycle riders to wear their reflective vest during all hours of the day, in any type of weather and regardless of whether the rider is on or off Station.

"The vest never actually went away," said Zaide. "According to the Marine Corps order and the revised Air Station order, riders could wear brightly-colored clothing during daylight hours, but during night and inclement weather you had to wear the vest."

Zaide sited the reason behind last November's easing of Air Station Order 5100.2A was because many riders often wear brightly-colored leather racing jackets, which is in compliance with Marine Corps regulations.

Unfortunately, the definition of brightly-colored was too indistinct, and many riders were getting in trouble with military police when coming aboard the Air Station - one person's definition of bright did not equal that of another.

"The definition of brightly colored was too vague," said Zaide. "We talked about it here and with Wing safety and PMO, and the concurrence is to go back to the vest."

Zaide admits that going back to requiring Miramar motorcycle riders to wear their reflective vest anytime they ride, will not stop the few who pull over and remove it as soon as they leave the Station.

However, he does believe wearing the vest will help in deterring accidents.

As before, riders are once again required to wear a commercially-available mesh or fabric vest worn as their outermost garment.

The vest must not be covered or concealed by a backpack, and must be bright yellow, international yellow or lime green.

The vest must also have two, 1 1/2 to 2-inch-wide vertical or horizontal retro-reflective stripes on the front and back.

Other required personal protective equipment, including the vest, for motorcycle riders, are an approved crash helmet, impact or shatter-resistant goggles or a full-face shield, long sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled down, long pants, full-fingered gloves, and hard-soled boots.

Zaide said he hopes the order will be signed before the upcoming Fourth of July holiday weekend.

"Both Station and Wing personnel here must follow the order whether they are on or off base," he said. "This takes out the question mark (of what's appropriate PPE)."