[Che-student-staff-list] FW: Purdue and city police begin bike safety campaign

[Valley, Jeffrey L]

FYI.....................


From: Riese, Gail A [mailto:gariese at purdue.edu]
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2011 4:15 PM
Subject: Purdue and city police begin bike safety campaign

Communications Announcement
Purdue University - Physical Facilities

TO: Building Deputies [Please distribute.]
FR: Physical Facilities
DA: Friday, September 23, 2011
RE: Purdue and city police begin bike safety campaign

By Purdue News Service

Purdue and city police begin bike safety campaign
With the onset of Green Week, Purdue University and West Lafayette police will conduct a bicycle safety campaign aimed toward pedestrians, motorists and cyclists.

Police will educate bicyclists of laws and regulations, as well as encouraging safe cycling.  The goal will be to educate cyclists about city ordinances, campus regulations and state laws, said Purdue police Capt. Eric Chin.

"Each semester we receive complaints of cyclists that operate their bicycles in a manner that endangers their own safety, as well as others that share the road with them," Chin said. "Cyclists need to beware that they must follow motor vehicle regulations, stopping at all stop signs and even adhering to the posted speed limit.  "One violation we often observe is when a cyclist rides in crosswalks. If a cyclist wishes to cross in a crosswalk, they must dismount their bicycle and walk it across.

Cyclists who violate motor vehicle regulations on campus are subjected to fines ranging from $50 to $130.

"Like citations issued to motorists, cyclists can be cited into Tippecanoe County Court and be subjected to points on their driving records." Chin said.

Campus regulations do not allow bicycles in university buildings unless approved by the appropriate authority. Bicycles may be ridden on designated drives and bike paths but not on sidewalks unless otherwise posted. Cyclists also are encouraged to dismount their bikes and walk them in crowded pedestrian areas.

Pedestrians must also realize that it is unlawful for them to step in front of a bicycle in an area and situation where the cyclist has the right of way, Chin said.

"When a pedestrian crosses a roadway outside of a crosswalk, they must yield to traffic, whether the traffic is a motor vehicle or a cyclist" he said. "On the same note, operators of motor vehicles must share the road with cyclists.  It's truly a three-way partnership."

Police also remind cyclists that proper equipment is required by law.  Working headlights and taillights are required for riding after dark, and helmets and visible clothing are strongly recommended.

Purdue requires that bicycles on university property be registered with the Purdue Police Department. Registration is free and is valid for five years. Details on bicycle registration are available on the police department's website (http://www.purdue.edu/police/).  Bike owners can pick up a sticker at the police department, 205 S. Martin Jischke Drive.

West Lafayette city residents must register their bikes with city police. Cost is $1.

Capt. Chris Leroux of the West Lafayette Police Department says it's important for bicyclists, along with motorists and pedestrians, to be aware of their surroundings and proceed in a cautious manner when traveling around campus.

"We see the same type of issues all over the campus area where bicyclists will ride the wrong way down a street against traffic or fail to stop when required or even weave in and out of traffic," Leroux said.

City ordinances also stipulate that:
* No person age 16 or older shall ride a bicycle upon any sidewalk in any district.
* No person shall ride a bicycle on a sidewalk within a business district.
* A person riding a bicycle on a roadway has all the rights and duties that are applicable to a person who drives a vehicle.

Leroux said cyclists also should use hand signals.

The public can expect to see increased police enforcement directed toward unsafe cycling over the next several weeks.

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