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Share
the Road Responsibly
A
Share the Road campaign
in University City--aimed
at educating bicyclists
and motorists about their
responsibilities to abide
by the rules of the road--was
set in motion Friday morning.
In an effort to increase
safety for both bicyclists
and pedestrians, members
of the University City community
are joining with the Delaware
Valley Regional Planning
Commission (DVRPC) to encourage
safe riding and driving.
The
DVRPC initiated the campaign
in cooperation with the Penn
Police, Drexel's
Public Safety, HUP,
the UCD, PennDOT,
the Bicycle
Coalition of Greater Philadelphia,
and Neighborhood
Bike Works.
Over
the next several months,
Penn Police will make "educational
stops," handing out
Share the Road leaflets
to bicyclists riding on
the sidewalks, and to motorists
encroaching on bicycle lanes.
Beginning in the spring,
police will enforce violations
by issuing citations to
both bicyclists riding on
sidewalks, and to motorists
ignoring bicyclists' rights.
University
City is one of four areas
in the region chosen to
participate in a Share the
Road campaign which is funded
by PennDOT and the Federal
Highway Administration.
The
leaflets which will be handed
out provide the following
pointers for bicyclists:
stay off the sidewalks;
ride on the right; be aware
and be visible; obey all
traffic signs and signals;
always wear a helmet; beware
of the "door zone." For
motorists: be aware; pass
with care; yield to bicyclists;
don't honk your horn at
bicyclists; don't drive
in a bike lane; look in
your rear view mirror before
opening your car door. For
more information and links
on sharing the road, see www.share-the-road.org or www.dvrpc.org.
What
does it mean to "Share
the Road?"
- By
law, bicyclists
may use the road
in the same ways
as motorists.
- Bicyclists
may "take
the lane" when
traveling as fast
as traffic.
- It
is illegal to
bike on sidewalks
in Philadelphia
if you're older
than 12.
- It
is illegal to
drive or park
in a bike lane.
- The
same right of
way rules apply
to cars and bikes.
- Bicyclists
must have a working
headlight and
rear reflector
when riding at
night.
- Wearing
a helmet can save
your life.
- Knowing
that a car door
opening unexpectedly
into the path
of a bicyclist
can be deadly.
- Knowing
that sidewalk
riding and wrong-way
riding are among
the leading causes
of car-bike crashes.
- With
the right skills
and knowledge,
riding in the
street can be
faster and safer
than riding on
the sidewalk.
And it's easier
than you may think.
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