Star City sees
a variety of modes of transportation
IN THE CITY
by Sgt. Laurie Kelly
Around the Presque Isle area, we are seeing a much larger variety of modes of transportation: motorcycles, scooters, dune buggies, electric cars, bicycles, and motorized chairs. We see all the “Share the Road” signs for cyclists, horse & buggies, as well as roller skiers, so what are the rules of the road pertaining to these modes of transportation?
The Presque Isle Police Department has fielded many questions about where folks can or cannot operate certain modes of transportation. We also get a lot of questions about road etiquette, mostly regarding motorized wheelchairs and bicycles.
Bicycles: Should be ridden with traffic and use the same traffic control devices. When on rural roads, bicyclists should stay as far to the right as possibly while still riding safely. Cyclists at night are required by law to have their bikes equipped with reflectors and a head lamp for visibility purposes and children under sixteen (16) are required to wear a helmet. Some folks do not feel comfortable riding with traffic and choose to utilize the sidewalks for bicycle use and this is completely legal as well.
Motorized Wheelchairs: Motorized wheelchairs are defined by law as “a battery-powered device designed exclusively for the transportation of an individual with a physical disability.” Motorized wheelchairs are allowed to go anywhere that a pedestrian may go: in traffic, on bike paths, and on sidewalks. Persons operating motorized wheelchairs in traffic are asked to stay as far to the right as possible, and ride single file if there is more than one.
Here are some laws regarding the shared use of the roadway. These laws apply to all of the non-motorized modes of transportation listed above.
• Motor vehicles may not crowd or force a person onto the shoulder of the road or towards a ditch.
• When a legal and safe opportunity arises to overtake another, the motor vehicle must give, at least, a three-foot barrier.
• Motor vehicles may not make an unsafe pass – when there is on-coming traffic — you will just have to “wait your turn.”
• Motor vehicles may not alarm, startle, or harass other modes of transport by the blaring of horns, loud gestures, or the crowding of those others on the road.
We realize that it is sometimes difficult in this fast-paced, technological and impatient century in which we live to remember a little etiquette.
Please, have a little patience; give some extra room; be safe; and share the road. Hopefully we can all safely get to where we’re going no matter what we choose for transportation.
Sgt. Laurie Kelly of the Presque Isle Police Department can be reached at 764-4476 or via e-mail at lkelly@pipd.us.
