Chief’s Corner
By Chief Steven J. Wojnar Dudley Police Department The issue of bicycle regulations was brought up to me recently. Many individuals of all ages are out and about riding bicycles on the streets now that the warm weather is here. The person recently saw what appeared to be a pre-teen riding a bicycle without a helmet. I was asked to explain the rules regarding helmets. All bicycle riders are required to follow the traffic laws of the Commonwealth. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 85 Section 11B is the major law governing operation and equipment requirements for bicycles. It authorizes the use of bicycles on all public ways, except for limited access highways. The law specifies several rules for bicyclists, including allowing bikes to travel on sidewalks, when necessary, in the interest of safety. In these instances, the rider is required to yield the right of way to pedestrians on sidewalks and to "give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian." The portion of this law which addresses helmets is listed under Section (iii). It states in part, “Any person 16 years of age or younger operating a bicycle or being carried as a passenger on a bicycle on a public way, bicycle path or on any other public right-of-way shall wear a helmet. Said helmet shall fit the person's head, shall be secured to the person's head by straps while the bicycle is being operated, and shall meet the standards for helmets established by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. These requirements shall not apply to a passenger if the passenger is in an enclosed trailer or other device which adequately holds the passenger in place and protects the passenger's head from impact in an accident.” Therefore, anyone 16 or younger, riding in public places, must wear an appropriate helmet. It is optional, and strongly encouraged, for those over age 16. The penalty for a violation mostly consists of a twenty-dollar civil fine. These and other regulations are designed to encourage safety. Many people have been seriously injured or killed while riding bikes on the roads. We have experienced several car vs bicycle incidents in recent weeks. Everyone using the road must observe the proper rules and conduct to avoid these accidents and injuries. |
For those who are reading this article on social media or on-line prior to Saturday, June 11th, you may be in luck for some valuable information. The Annual Bicycle Rodeo is scheduled for Saturday, June 11th from 1-3 pm on the campus of Nichols College. This is a great opportunity for parents and children to have their equipment checked, learn about the rules of the road, and participate in fun activities. Check out the information on the town’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/townofdudley or contact the Board Health Office at the number below for further details.
For those still seeking vaccination or COVID related information, it can be found at www.dudleyma.gov or by calling 508-949-8036. During these challenging times, we, at the Dudley Police Department, greatly appreciate the support we receive from our community. Thanks again for your questions and comments. Please send them to me at the Dudley Police Department 71 West Main St. Dudley, Ma. 01571 or email at swojnar@dudleypolice.com. Opinions expressed in this weekly column are those of Chief Wojnar only and unless clearly noted, do not reflect the ideas or opinions of any other organization or citizen. |
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