BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PEDAL CYCLISTS are becoming a nuisance and are posing serious threats to the motoring and pedestrian public and to themselves, the Traffic Department has reported.
SKNVibes understands that the Department is being “bombarded” with reports from motorists who claim the operators of these pedal bikes have developed the dangerous habit of “zigging and zagging through traffic” without so much as an indication of their approach.
Information reaching this publication suggested that on a weekly basis, several verbal reports are placed at the Department concerning pedal cyclists and their “dangerous” behaviour.
The Traffic Department has indicated that not only is such behaviour dangerous to other road users but to the cyclists as well, especially seeing that they often ride alongside and pass vehicles without alerting the drivers of their presence.
While this is not so in every case, the Department expressed that a large number of these pedal cyclists are school-aged children and it is warning parents that should there be any mishap, they (the parents) would be held liable.
“We need parents to speak to their children about the dangers of doing this. Most of them are young children who are of tender age and are not working. If they are to become involved in an accident, their parents would be held liable.
“So parents need to act now in educating their children on the proper use of the roadways. If a person is using a pedal bike, he or she needs to understand, just as motorists, that they need to be aware of other road users at all times.”
It is expected that since it is being bombarded with complaints, the Traffic Department would act to discourage such behaviour and act proactively before an incident of a serious nature occurs.
The Department explained to SKNVibes that while it is not yet prepared to release details about its intentions, assuredly, plans are afoot to deal with the menacing problem.
It is understood that these plans would come into effect in short order.
