It has come to my attention that the Madison police have started a campaign against cyclists who are violating traffic laws. I believe the police are taking action to protect students' well-being on campus. I understand many cyclists do not follow the laws, and I agree to some extent that the police should intervene. Cyclists, however, do not pose the largest threat to pedestrians.
In order to make it safer to travel on campus, both on foot and by bike, police need to step in and control traffic and moped use. I have seen accidents caused by mopeds and other motorists. Drivers of motorized vehicles often terrorize pedestrians and do not allow them the right of way, and mopeds zip around campus with extreme disregard for the safety of pedestrians and themselves. Case in point: a girl was run over by a bus a few weeks ago after she accidentally crashed her bike. If we are to be concerned about the safety of students, we should first target the drivers of motorized vehicles that endanger the lives of students on a daily basis.
Furthermore, many students do not know the rules of safe bicycle riding. The most effective way to increase safety among campus bicycle riders is to increase their awareness. Groups such as Bucky's Bike Ambassadors, run by the UW Transportation Department, have been actively campaigning for safe bicycle riding, passing out bicycle lights and registering bicycles.
Ride On!
