Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sgt. Eric Krause on November 16, 2009 at 8:41am

Below is a section from MA General Laws, Chapter 85, Section 11B

During the period from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, the operator shall display to the front of his bicycle a lamp emitting a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet, and to the rear of said bicycle either a lamp emitting a red light, or a red reflector visible for not less than six hundred feet when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. A generator powered lamp which emits light only when the bicycle is moving shall meet the requirements of this clause.

http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/85-11b.htm

Permalink Reply by Brett on November 16, 2009 at 1:16pm

That's great, but what is E-13 doing about educating bicyclists and enforcing the bicycling laws? I understand the SW Corridor is the realm on the State Police, but the rest of JP isn't. By the same token, it'd be nice if E-13 officers also stepped up enforcement of traffic laws on drivers, too- crosswalk laws, drivers running red lights, using bus spaces as parking (like in front of Bukhara, for example. $100 a pop...)

Some education in the form of flyers, traffic stops that are warnings, etc...followed by real enforcement, would be appreciated. Cambridge PD have a reputation for going after cyclists for the laws on sidewalk riding, lights, etc...but cyclists really hate the fact that Cambridge PD doesn't seem to care about people blocking bike lanes.

I also have first hand experience (twice) with your officers not really caring when we're injured by drivers. Twice, I've been struck and in both cases, the drivers got nothing but a slap on the wrist. In one case, I broke my hand and the driver got a "failure to yield to traffic device" because he went straight from the left-turn-only lane at Centre/S. Huntington/Boylston (which happens constantly...some enforcement there, please?) #2 was a dooring; despite their being a specific law against drivers 'dooring' cyclists, the officer who was in charge didn't cite the driver (and she left the scene while I was still on the ground! Ran inside and hid in the CVS!)

I also once had a road-rage run-in with one of your officers who chased me down with his cruiser while I was riding.

Loay: I agree and share your frustration with rides who don't use lights. I hear all sorts of excuses, ranging from lights being expensive (or stolen often- people don't realize you can't leave them on your bike), to batteries and "the environment" (apparently rechargeables are too "complicated") In fact, I had a conversation once with two BPD officers riding on the SWC about their lights, and how important a front light is (helps prevent doorings and oncoming left-hand-turn collisions, and warns pedestrians.) Both of them were surprised to hear that a front light was so important, and said thank you...

Permalink Reply by Robert P. Levy on June 9, 2010 at 10:24am

The mistake here is to assume even for a minute that "law enforcement" is there to help. Of course I'm posting this on the wrong forum (Porcelli's cop-loving ning site).