FIU Police focuses on bicyclist and pedestrian safety during Florida Bicycle Month

During Florida Bicycle Month, FIU Police has continued its initiative to increase safety awareness among bicyclists and pedestrians.

March is Florida Bicycle Month, a time when the Florida Department of Transportation and local governmental agencies encourage the use of bicycles as a mode of transportation on Florida’s roadways, while also promoting bicyclist safety.

At the same time, FIU Police has continued its pedestrian safety program, launched in February, which is focused on improving the safety of students walking and bicycling to campus from Sweetwater and Westchester. The initiative is funded by the Florida Department of Transportation through a grant with the University of South Florida’s Center for Urban Transportation Research.

The High Visibility Enforcement (HVE) 10-week education program, which is now in its seventh week, started with the distribution of pamphlets by FIU police officers at the three busiest intersections surrounding MMC. After three weeks, the officers began handing out warnings to pedestrians and bicyclists for violations.

For the last three weeks of the program, officers will continue to hand out educational literature and warnings, but may also give out citations for violations such as disobeying traffic signals, not using sidewalks, jaywalking and failing to yield. Fines cost as much as $78.

“Florida Bicycle Month is the perfect time to educate bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists about staying alert and safe on the roads,” said FIU Chief of Police Alexander D. Casas. “Our pedestrian safety program has been a success, thanks to the engagement of our university community.”