Cyclists face tickets in Somerville, Massachusetts [Bike Radar]

Cyclists in Somerville, Massachusetts are facing a new city directive to actively enforce traffic laws as they pertain to cyclists. (Stephen Rees/Creative Commons)

Cyclists in Somerville, Massachusetts are facing a new city directive to actively enforce traffic laws as they pertain to cyclists. Earlier this month on 11 April Somerville police chief, Thomas Pasquarello, announced the Somerville police department’s plans for increased enforcement of bicycle traffic regulations under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 85.

Cyclists, now, can and will be ticketed for violating traffic rules, and offenders may be required to state their true name and address to a police officer if stopped for a violation. “This isn't really news,” said David Watson, executive director ofMassBike. “This is not the first community in Massachusetts to enforce traffic laws for bicyclists. This has been the law for a long time in the state.”

While Watson told BikeRadar that he does not like to see targeted enforcement, he said he believes everyone — including cyclists — should be required to follow the rules of the road. “In this era of limited police resources, especially in regards to road safety, targeting bicycles may not be the best use of the police officers time,” said Watson. “But again, we'd like to see everyone on the same page.”

[Keep reading at Bike Radar]