Thursday, August 3, 2017

bicyclist intentionally swerving into the paths of vehicles and pedestrians

Delran Residents,

Due to complaints about the new fad of “Swerving” (bicyclist intentionally swerving into the paths of vehicles and pedestrians) we would like to address the issue.

We know that teenagers, wheelie-popping, bike riders are looking for fun and some thrills, but what they’re doing can be extremely dangerous not only to themselves but the motorist who are driving. Riding bikes the wrong way against traffic, causing motorists to move out of their way, is causing hazardous conditions. This is one of those things where they can either be killed themselves in terms of darting in and out of traffic like that or create an accident where somebody in a vehicle is killed as the result of their reckless actions. Sometimes when operating a motor vehicle you’re not expecting somebody on a bike to come darting in front of you. If the operator of the vehicle is quick enough to respond they may be able to avoid hitting that person, but it also may cause a vehicle to swerve and create another accident. Police and other drivers are concerned of the safety of these daring and dangerous maneuvers.

There have been numerous occasions when officers responded to a call about a group of juvenile bike riders doing these maneuvers but are not caught in the act. On these occasions, officers have communicated with these young persons of the potential danger these maneuvers create, but we still consistently receive complaints about juvenile bike riders doing these maneuvers.
Our Police Officers will be proactive in stopping this behavior. If anyone is seen riding a bike and causing a hazardous situation action will be taken. The parents of the teenagers will be contacted and the juvenile will be cited.

Because the police cannot be everywhere, the Police need the help of ALL parents from stopping a potential life ending tragedy from occurring. We are writing this message asking parents to speak with their children and advise them that this behavior is unacceptable and it must stop.
If this behavior continues, the next step will be for the Delran Police Department to start strictly enforcing the bicycle laws with no warnings for all juvenile bike riders who are reported to be part of a group that is engaging in this behavior, but we are hoping with the parents help it will not come to that.

The Delran Police will still be activity looking for kids doing the right things and we will be issuing tickets for this behavior which include properly riding their bikes with helmets and following the bike safety laws. Ice cream, pizza and boost tickets will be issued to these kids for doing the right thing. This program works because of the continued the support of our local businesses.

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