Memo: Background Research, Bike Law/Safety Enforcement Video Values, roles, and challenges of training law enforcers in bicycle safety What the value behind training law enforcers? Increasing knowledge and awareness around the rules of the road that pertain to cyclists and motorists to better serve entire community What are the challenges? (bigger issues, overworked,misperceptions of motorist/cyclists interactions, lack of interest in traffic enforcement, lack of resources, long-term issues of enforcement, social pressure, communication) Role of law enforcement Enforcement is one of the varying ways to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety by citing those who violate laws Law enforcement can also educate those who are unaware of the laws guiding pedestrian, bicyclists, and motorists interactions ( convo, modeling good behavior) Understanding law enforcement officers Why don't police enforce pedestrian or bicycle laws? Table Lack of law enforcement officer training is certainly a barrier to enforcement, but table also brings up some other common barriers cited in literature Developing partnerships with law enforcements, trainings, etc. More info: http://www.bicyclinginfo.org/enforcement/role.cfm Video/Media Examples Pennsylvania, PennDOT, Just Drive PA Campaign Just Drive PA Campaign Bicycle Laws--PA Safe Routes Video #5 Click Scenarios, Common Offences by Motorists/Cyclists, Used retired state cop for video Sharing the Road -- PA Safe Routes Video #4 Click signals, position, intersection, road rage/attitude ( bikes/motorists)
Production: JPL Creative Evolution, Inc. http://www.jplcreative.com/news/details.aspx?id=475 Florida Bicycle Associations, 2012 Roll Call Videos Video 1 : Bicyclists and Roadway Use ( ~5:45 min) Click Video 2 :Who are Bicyclists ( ~7:40 min) Click produced inhouse More info: http://floridabicycle.org/law-enforcement/ Utah, Dept. of Health, Share the Road Driver's Education Program Share the Road Driver Education Video ( ~12 min) City of Chicago, CDOT and Chicago Police - Educates drivers, cyclists and officers on traffic laws pertaining to bikes Traffic Enforcement for Bicyclist Safety Video ( ~13 minutes) Police officers, Volunteers used for filming Production: Hausman and Schott, Audio and Video Production, Media Process Group Portland, Oregon, Portland Police Bureau- Bicycle Traffic Enforcement Video (~10 min) Internal training video for the Portland Police to inform officers about the City s bicycle transportation policy, shift in culture/bikers, and remind them about some the states bicycle rel Safety( bikers) vs. Motorist( predictability) 4 criteria to determine enforcement (available law, safety, sharing, education) Problem Scenarios Highlighted -Right hook ( law), Sharing, Group Rides, Stop Signs/Traffic Devices, ) LADOT/LAPD http://www.bicyclela.org/law.htm Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Enhancing Bicycle Safety: Law Enforcement's Role Call Video ( ~ 7 min) Click Here for Video
Also, 2 hour interactive learning videos cover 7 areas, including Completion prompts certificate based on states definition of passing, learners subject to in-house training hours Enforcing Laws for Bicyclists, NHTSA Presents some general violations, and role of officers ( the why?) Click here for Video (~ 6 min) 2. Accompanying material ( leaflets, cards, police training aids, etc) The Role of Law Enforcement http://www.bicyclinginfo.org/enforcement/role.cfm Utah, Dept. of Health, Share the Road Driver's Education Program Bicycle Safety Enforcement Action Guidelines http://www.health.utah.gov/vipp/pdf/bicyclesafety/bicycle%20safety%20enforce ment%20guidelines.pdf Bicycle Enforcement Training Tools http://www.ipmba.org/newsletter-0509-enforcement.html 3. Reference Summary for Massachusetts General Law ( from massbike.org) General laws pertaining to bicyclists and bicycling in Massachusetts. Chapter 85, Section 11b, Chapter 85, Section 11c, and Chapter 85, Section 11d Motorist Responsibilities MGL Chapter 89, Section 2 and Chapter 90 Section 14) - (Covers equipment, riding, safety standards, races, violations, and penalties) MLG Chp 6, Sec 116E ( under this trianing was required for new recruits, in house training optional, dept discretion) *What about Municipal Codes, and Violations?
4. Most dangerous situations bwt cyclists and motorists intersections ( right and left turn) passing bicyclists to close, and fast dooring ( open door in traffic, either side in traffic, even if it doesn't hit cyclists) motorist use bike lanes, marked shared lanes, bike path to pass or park also what is permitted to cyclists, their rights! This isn t always know, or understood * powerful with real life examples, general law violations (Chapters,# s) 5. Common violations committed in bicycle/motor vehicle collisions Common Violations to Enforce Motorist Unsafe passing, harassment on the road Failure to yield right of way at traffic lights, and stop signs Inattentive or impaired driving Dooring* Parking, blocking, or driving in bike lane* Cyclists Riding against traffic Failure to yield right of way at traffic lights, and stop signs Running red lights Riding without required nighttime lighting ( red light/or reflector on back, while light, front) No helmet for children 16 and under Riding on sidewalks 6. Responsibilities of Motorist vs. Cyclists
Responsibilities Motorists Cyclists Remember: bicyclists are vehicles in MA, they have the same right of the road Look out for cyclists before opening your car door or pulling out of a parking space, or driveway Give at least 3 to 4 feet of passing clearance to cyclists ( its the law) Bicycles are vehicles-follow all traffic rules--stopping at stop signs, traffic lights, and yield to pedestrians at crosswalks Don t Ride on Sidewalks * Fit your bike with a strong headlight and taillight at night, as required by law Patience--aggressive driving is not helping you or others on the road. Treat cyclists like any slow moving vehicle on the road. Ride with Traffic, not against it Wear a helmet to help protect your head from injury ( mandatory for children 16 under) Use proper hand Signals