Bike crackdown begins in Phila.

The Philadelphia Police began cracking down on law-breaking cyclists in the city’s business district on Friday. The move comes in the wake of two recent pedestrian deaths caused by bicycles.

The Philadelphia Police began cracking down on law-breaking cyclists in the city’s business district on Friday. The move comes in the wake of two recent pedestrian deaths caused by bicycles.

Listen:
[audio: 091120spbike.mp3]

The afternoon roll call for the ninth district bicycle cops happened in Rittenhouse Square, where pedestrians, bicycles and cars often compete for space on narrow roads and pavements.

The send off took place in full view of some of the city’s most rugged cyclists – bicycle messengers like David Sellers.

Sellers: If the bike lane stays open and its just made for busses and bikes, then cars that are in the bike lane, they need to be pulled over and they need to get a ticket just as much as us. If we get a ticket for $300 dollars for riding on the pavement, cars should get a ticket for $500 dollars for riding in the bikelane.

In fact, the current fine for both motorists and bikers who run red lights, ride the wrong way down a one-way street, and don’t yield to pedestrians is $119.50.

Police say they will be handing out both warnings and tickets to bikers. Motorists caught driving in the bike lanes along Spruce and Pine streets will also face fines.