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Bike Lane Enforcement

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Traffic Advisory for August 17, 2016

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The bike lanes on East St Mary's Boulevard are now open for use. Bike lanes are new to the campus so it's important as bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians to be alert at all times and understand the rules.

Driver Safety

Drivers need to be mindful of bicycles. Do not drive in lanes that have a solid line. That solid line indicates that the lane is for bicycles only. The dotted lines guide cars so they can transition into the "conflict area" and make a turn. Cars must get in line with the bicycles and make the turn accordingly.

There is a lot of detailed information at http://park.louisiana.edu/bike-information.
Please take the time to visit the website and familiarize yourself with the information that is provided.

Enforcement

One of the main concerns of the UL Police Department as well as the Lafayette City Police Department will be the safety of all those who utilize the bike path, roadways and pedestrian crosswalks.  When enforcement is necessary, warnings as well as citations will be issued for improper lane usage to drivers and/or cyclist and to pedestrians for entering a crosswalk when it is not safe to do so. University Police and Lafayette City Police will begin enforcement the week of 3/24/2014.


Louisiana Revised Statute Laws pertaining to Vehicle, Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety

Bicycle:
• Bicycles are considered a vehicle when on road way.

RS 32:193 The regulations applicable to bicyclist shall apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon a highway or upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
RS 32:194 Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway of this state shall be granted all the right and shall be subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of the vehicle.
RS 32:76.1 Motor vehicles shall leave a safe distance of at least three feet from a bicycle when attempting to pass.
• Bicycles should not travel against traffic. RS:32.71
• Once bicycle enters a lane of traffic, it must obey the solid white line and stay in the lane of traffic.

Solid Lines: Should not be crossed in a passing maneuver.
• Bicycle must use proper hand signals. RS:32.105
• Bicycles must follow traffic signals. RS:32:56B
• Bicycles are not allowed to ride through crosswalks, must be walked. RS:32:194
• When merging with a vehicle (green area) vehicle must obey street sign, which states that the VEHICLE must yield to bicycle. RS:32:56B
• After December 31, 2010, no person shall operate any bicycle at night time on a state highway, parish road, or city street; unless such bicycle is equipped with a least one lamp emitting a red flashing light or a red light on the rear. A person in violation of this shall be given a warning ticket only.

Pedestrians:
• When pedestrians have the signal to cross at crosswalk, they have the right away no matter what the traffic light may state.

RS: 32:211 Pedestrians shall be subject to traffic-control signals at intersections as provided in R.S 32:233 unless otherwise required by local ordinance, but at all other places pedestrians shall be accorded to the privileges and shall be subject to the restrictions stated in this part.
• No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield. RS:32:212
• On Highways or interstate Highways:

RS: 32.216 Where a sidewalk is provided, it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent highway.
It shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to cross an interstate highway, except in the case of an emergency.

Vehicles:
• Vehicles must obey the solid white line; they may NOT use the bicycle lane for a passing lane. RS:32:79

Solid Lines: Should not be crossed in a passing maneuver.
• When merging with a bicycle (green area) vehicle must obey street sign, which states that the VEHICLE must yield to bicycle. RS:32:56
• No person shall operate a motor vehicle in a bicycle lane except as follows:

R.S. 32:203
(1) To prepare for a turn within a distance of two hundred feet from the intersection.
(2) To enter or leave the roadway onto an alley, private road, or driveway.
(3) To enter or leave a parking space when parking is permitted adjacent to the bicycle lane.
• Any person operating a motor vehicle upon a bicycle lane shall yield the right-of-way to all bicycles. R.S. 32:203

This Section shall not prohibit the use of a motorized bicycle in a bicycle lane when the operator travels at no speed greater than what is reasonable or prudent, has due regard for visibility, traffic conditions, and the condition of the roadway surface of the bicycle lane and in a manner which does not endanger the safety of bicyclists. R.S. 32:203
In case of an emergency, the driver of a motor vehicle may lawfully operate the vehicle in a bicycle lane in accordance with the normal standards of prudent conduct to protect himself and others from harm. When the emergency ends, the motor vehicle shall not be operated in the bicycle lane. R.S. 32:203

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