Share the Road monitors bicycle safety

CPD officers will be stringently monitoring bicycle safety as part of Operation Share the Road.

By Austin Alonzo

Published Oct. 3, 2008

On Monday, the Columbia Police Department announced Operation Share the Road, its newest initiative to help protect motorists and cyclists' rights.

During the month of October, CPD officers will be increasing their enforcement of cycling laws and will be issuing tickets to violating cyclists and motorists alike.

"We've just increased awareness a little bit and made sure officers are well versed in what the laws are pertaining to cycling and cyclists and that way they will have the tools at their disposal if they think enforcement action is necessary," CPD Officer Jeff Westbrook said.

CPD will be looking to make sure cyclists use a white, front-facing light and red, rear-facing reflector, obey all stop signs and red lights and ride in the same direction as traffic. They also stress riding on sidewalks in a business district is against the law.

CPD will be watching for motorists who harass cyclists by honking or shouting at them, and those who pass cyclists irresponsibly.

Operation Share the Road is partially the brainchild of GetAbout Columbia, an organization that promotes bicycling and walking in Columbia as part of a national pilot program.

PedNet Education Coordinator Robert Johnson was responsible for educating CPD officers about biking laws. PedNet is a pedestrian and pedaling network advocacy group.

"Both inexperienced and experienced cyclists running red lights or riding on downtown district sidewalks can make for a frustrating situation for motorists and law abiding cyclists alike," Johnson said in a PedNet news release. "My hope is that this campaign will help educate cyclists and motorists that sharing the road is everyone's responsibility."

GetAbout Columbia and CPD planned the operation in early spring of this year.

Operation Share the Road also aims to reduce accidents and loss of life from bicycle related accidents.

According to CPD, between Oct. 1, 2006, and Sept. 29, 2008, there have been 37 bicyclist-involved accidents. Twenty-six individuals were injured and one was killed.

"Bicycle involved accidents are many times not reported to the police department therefore we believe the number of accidents to be a lot higher," CPD patrol commander Capt. Stephen Monticelli said.

Although Operation Share the Road will change enforcement in Columbia, MU students on campus will not have to worry about more stringent enforcement than they already see. MU Police Department Capt. Brian Weimer said the department already has a well functioning system in place to protect bikers and enforce bicycle laws.

"We always look to enforce bike safety laws, so it's not like it's something we need a specific program for," Weimer said. "Our officers are very aware and conscious of that, being that is such a pedestrian campus that a lot of people also utilize bikes on."