Police Tighten City's Bike Laws

Bicycle riders beware.

In an attempt to decrease the number of bike-related accidents, Cambridge police officers are intensifying efforts to enforce biking laws in Harvard Square.

"There is a push by the [Cambridge] City Council and the community of Cambridge to have the police rigorously enforce bike laws," said Police Sgt. Paul Sugrue.

"[Bicycles] have to follow the same rules of the road as the automobile," Sugrue said.

The laws, which had previously been in effect but are only now being enforced, prevent bikers from riding on sidewalks and require them to use headlights at certain hours.

Those who violate the law face a $20 fine.

"The biggest complaint is bicycles on the sidewalks," Sugrue said. "Bikes cannot ride on the sidewalks in business districts [such as] Harvard Square and Central Square."

Cambridge police will also enforce laws requiring bicycles to have head-lights from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, Sugrue said.

From Sept. 1, 1994, to Aug. 30, 1996, there were 28 accidents involving bicycles and vehicles in the Harvard Square area, according to Cambridge Police. Twenty-seven of these accidents resulted in personal injuries.

The Harvard Square business district is roughly bounded by Memorial Drive, Appian Way, Cambridge Street and Quincy Street, according to Cambridge Police.

Sugrue said police officers have been issuing verbal and written warnings since April. Cambridge police began issuing fines two months ago and so far have cited more than 30 cyclists, Sugrue said.

Some students, including Jinesh Shah '98, said they were unaware that the same laws that apply to cars apply to bicycles.

Jocelyn C. Thein '97 said she did not think motor vehicle laws should apply to bikes as well. "I think that bikes are like pedestrians," Thein said. "I consider pedestrian rules biker rules."

Harvard University Police Department spokesperson Peggy McNamara said that the Harvard police would not be working in conjunction with Cambridge police in enforcing biking laws.

"Ultimately, that chapter [of the law] is enforced strictly by the city police," McNamara said. "Our law enforcement efforts are probably better suited in other endeavors."

Since March of 1995 there have been three accidents involving bicycles and motor vehicles under the jurisdiction of the HUPD, McNamara said, including one in which a bicyclist ran into the door of a police cruiser at the corner of Chauncy and Garden Streets.

Some students said the more rigid enforcement of biking regulations was a good idea. "I think it's a good idea for safety reasons," said Akilesh Palanisamy '98. "Cyclists tend to be...reckless."

But others said having to obey the same traffic laws as cars would slow them down. Jason T. Kral '97 said that obeying traffic laws would "take me more time to get where I'm going."

"It defeats the purpose of having a bike," said Shah. "I might as well walk."

Sugrue, the police sergeant, said officers will only ticket people for serious offenses. "We're not jumping on people about giving hand signals or anything rinky dink," Sugrue said. "If someone is riding at breakneck speed along the kiosk [in Harvard Square], they will get a fine.

"The biggest complaint is bicycles on the sidewalks," Sugrue said. "Bikes cannot ride on the sidewalks in business districts [such as] Harvard Square and Central Square."

Cambridge police will also enforce laws requiring bicycles to have head-lights from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, Sugrue said.

From Sept. 1, 1994, to Aug. 30, 1996, there were 28 accidents involving bicycles and vehicles in the Harvard Square area, according to Cambridge Police. Twenty-seven of these accidents resulted in personal injuries.

The Harvard Square business district is roughly bounded by Memorial Drive, Appian Way, Cambridge Street and Quincy Street, according to Cambridge Police.

Sugrue said police officers have been issuing verbal and written warnings since April. Cambridge police began issuing fines two months ago and so far have cited more than 30 cyclists, Sugrue said.

Some students, including Jinesh Shah '98, said they were unaware that the same laws that apply to cars apply to bicycles.

Jocelyn C. Thein '97 said she did not think motor vehicle laws should apply to bikes as well. "I think that bikes are like pedestrians," Thein said. "I consider pedestrian rules biker rules."

Harvard University Police Department spokesperson Peggy McNamara said that the Harvard police would not be working in conjunction with Cambridge police in enforcing biking laws.

"Ultimately, that chapter [of the law] is enforced strictly by the city police," McNamara said. "Our law enforcement efforts are probably better suited in other endeavors."

Since March of 1995 there have been three accidents involving bicycles and motor vehicles under the jurisdiction of the HUPD, McNamara said, including one in which a bicyclist ran into the door of a police cruiser at the corner of Chauncy and Garden Streets.

Some students said the more rigid enforcement of biking regulations was a good idea. "I think it's a good idea for safety reasons," said Akilesh Palanisamy '98. "Cyclists tend to be...reckless."

But others said having to obey the same traffic laws as cars would slow them down. Jason T. Kral '97 said that obeying traffic laws would "take me more time to get where I'm going."

"It defeats the purpose of having a bike," said Shah. "I might as well walk."

Sugrue, the police sergeant, said officers will only ticket people for serious offenses. "We're not jumping on people about giving hand signals or anything rinky dink," Sugrue said. "If someone is riding at breakneck speed along the kiosk [in Harvard Square], they will get a fine.