Police: Bikers need to follow laws

Philadelphia Police are cracking down – not on drug dealers or other criminals – but on cyclists who violate the traffic code.

Philadelphia Police are launching a major crack down – not on drug dealers or other criminals – but on cyclists who violate the traffic code. Those scofflaws have gained attention since the incidence of several pedestrian deaths involving bike riders.

Over the next month, Police will fan out across Center City to ticket bicyclists for running red lights, riding the wrong way on streets, and weaving in and out of traffic. The punishment?

Police spokesman Sargaent Ray Evers says bikers will get the same tickets motorists receive, with fines of more than $100.

Evers: We’re going to go after folks on bikes that are the most egregious. Basically if someone has to slam on their brakes if a bike’s in their way or pedestrians on a sidewalk are crossing have to stop abruptly because a biker is passing by, basically those folks will be stopped and ticketed.

While the police are writing tickets, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia plans to let bikers know they’re supposed to follow the same laws as car drivers.