According to the League of American Bicyclists, law enforcement officers must understand the laws and regulations that govern bicycling, the rules that ensure safety for all road users, know how to enforce them, and apply them equitably to ensure public safety.

In order to make safe streets for all users, we hope the City of Charlotte will do more to enforce the existing laws governing our streets and transportation system. Preventing the parking of vehicles in bicycle lanes and running red lights by adding cameras at intersections. 

Sustain Charlotte supports ticketing vehicles parked in bicycle lanes and the re-institution of red-light cameras in Charlotte intersections.  The data on red-light cameras show trade-offs; data shows a higher rear-end crash rate with no or minimal injury to motorists.  However, the percentage of right-angle crashes that put cyclists and pedestrians in jeopardy and inflict serious injury to drivers.  It is a question of fender-benders or death.  

UPDATE

On Monday, March 5, 2018, City Manager Marcus Jones said that he would not recommend the re-installation of red light cameras.  Shannon Binns, executive director of Sustain Charlotte, was quoted by the Charlotte Observer saying the recommendation was “very disappointing... We have people running red lights with reckless abandon,” he said. “It causes accidents. It contributes to people not feeling safe.”

Read the full story here! 

What do you think?  Join the conversation.  Stay tuned to Sustain Charlotte social media and sign up for our newsletter for weekly updates, City Council meeting dates, and potential action items!