Safe Biking Initiative helps to Lower Accidents
It’s been a little over two years since the Chattanooga Police Department began its Safe Biking Initiative.
Since then, officers have seen a decrease in the number of cyclist verses vehicle accidents.
They launched this effort as a way to keep bicyclists and motorists safe.
Philip Pugliese works for Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga said that it’s all about how drivers.and bicyclists learn to share the road together.
"Working with both motorists and cyclists, who are often the same people…to understand how best to share our public spaces."
So far there have been 26 total crashes from October 2014 to October of this year compared to the 35 crashes that happened the year prior.
That’s about 26% change.
Pugliese, along with CPD, brought sonar devices to the city a little less than a year ago.
They named the device BSMART.
BSMART measures the distance between a car to the bicycle in front of them.
State law said that motorists must give at least 3 feet to cyclists when they’re passing.
A few months ago the city implemented bike lanes in parts of downtown Chattanooga.
"A lot of the work that’s been done by the Chattanooga Police Department and transportation to improve our infrastructure…combined with education is an ongoing process."
It’s been a little over two years since the Chattanooga Police Department began its Safe Biking Initiative.
And since then…officers have seen a decrease in the number of cyclist verses vehicle accidents.
Cyclist and advisor at Suck Creek Cycle, Michael Skiles,said there’s still one factor that results in accidents that he continues to see on the roadways.
"Distracted driving qnd seeing what I see, as far as motorists passing by and texting and looking at there phone."
Pugliese encourages both motorists and cyclists to be aware when they are on the roadways.
"It’s very important for cyclists to be predictable, be assertive, and visible to motorists. At the same time is very critical for motorists driving a much larger vehicle to exercise due care."
Outdoor Chattanooga offers bicycle safety and education classes.
For more inforamtion about the classes click here.
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