City steps up bike law enforcement

Charleston police have stepped up enforcement of laws governing bicycling in an effort to make the city safer for two-wheel, pedal-powered travel.

Three people have died riding bikes in the city in recent months.

"Both (bicyclists and motorists) have a right to be on the road and to share the road," said Lt. Chip Searson, traffic commander.

The campaign initially will be educational. Cyclists will be informed they are required to follow the same rules of the road as motorists.

Motorists will be warned, too, if they violate state law requiring them to exercise due care and caution around bicyclists.

Since July, city officials, staff and members of the biking community have met on several occasions to discuss the issue. The goal of the meetings was to influence how motorists and bicyclists behave on the streets and toward one another.

Through Sunday, police will issue warning citations for violations of the city's revised bike ordinance as part of an education initiative about the rules of the road. Starting Monday, tickets will be handed out to violators.

The initiative will focus on the area west of King Street between Spring and Broad streets.

City law requires bicyclists to follow the same rules of the road as motorists, such as obeying traffic signals and signs. Cyclists are required to use hand signals to indicate that they will turn. Generally, bicyclists cannot ride on the sidewalk, although there are exceptions for children under 12 and for situations where the sidewalk is designated by the city as suitable for that purpose.

Motorists should give bicyclists appropriate right of way, not blast their horn at bicyclists and leave at least three feet of space between car and cyclist when passing. Children on bicycles are often unpredictable -- expect the unexpected and slow down.

Charleston Moves, which advocates for cyclists, urges bicyclists to always ride in the same direction as traffic and to obey stop signs, lights and lane markings, among other traffic rules. A spokesman for the organization was not available Monday.