Philadelphia Bicyclists Scream Injustice with the New Traffic Rules
More and more people are riding bicycles and bicycle ridership in Philadelphia is up since the SEPTA strike. Rules have been introduced that would require cyclists to obey the rules of the road similar to a motor vehicle and increase fines against bikers who violate the rules. Presently, cyclists are subject to most traffic laws such as stopping at red lights and going with the flow of traffic and although these laws have not been strictly enforced in the past, Philadelphia police have announced they will step up enforcement and issue fines in an aggressive fashion.
A few days after I wrote my original blog concerning this topic, I received a number of phone calls and inquiries from concerned bicyclists uncertain about the future and wondering whether the same was constitutional. First, let me state that most bicyclists are quite responsible and a little education program to bicyclists on the road would be beneficial. The essence and background of the new traffic law and cyclists is essentially to protect bikers, motorists and pedestrians. The new law enforcement is not meant to wage a war on bicyclists but to keep all of us safe.
As an experienced bicyclist since age 13, and an experienced Philadelphia bicycle accident attorney, I am excited that bike ridership and ownership in Philadelphia is among the highest in the country and I am excited that the City of Philadelphia has taken steps to protect bicyclists and make the city more bicycle friendly. It is my understanding that funds from the violations will be utilized to maintain bicycle lanes and improve the Philadelphia biking systems. Philadelphia has over 200 miles of bicycle lanes - more than exist than in any other city in the United States. It is only due to a rise in pedestrian/bicycle accidents and car accidents including bicyclists in Philadelphia that these new bike laws have been proposed and enforced.
As a bicycle accident attorney who has been on both sides of the fence representing bicyclists who have been catastrophically injured and pedestrians who have been catastrophically injured by bikes, I welcome a more orderly system which will protect all of us.
