Charleston enforces tougher bike laws

In recent months, three people have died while cycling in Charleston. Charleston law enforcement is cracking down on bicyclists to prevent more deaths, saying they should have the same rules as motorists. The campaign is an initiative to make the city safer for bike travel. Vice President of Coastal Cyclists Courtney Gruber supports the tougher laws.

I can’t speak for all the cyclists, but I’ve talked with a lot of them and we are in favor of it. We’ve been saying for years we have the same rights that cars have for being on the road, we are traffic, but we also have the same responsibility. I applaud law enforcement for educating cyclists and motorists alike, and I think that’s what they are trying to do.

Gruber says with the influx of bike traffic, and more people on the road, more rules are needed.

I have some friends who have been ticketed for running red lights, running stop signs, and I think that’s a good thing. We have no problem with that, we just want to know that’s what they are doing. And I understand they are cracking down on motorists too. It’s against the law for motorists to harass bikers.

Gruber says the rules are the same for cyclists and motorists. She says some motorists may not know that.

We’ve got a right to be on the road. The law says we are traffic, we have as much right to a lane as a car does. Yet, most of the cyclists I know ride about a third into the lane. But, cars have to pass a safe distance away from us, they have to not run us off the road, not buzz us and wait until they have a clear chance to pass.

Charleston police will enforce stricter laws, focusing more on a specific area west of King Street in Charleston.