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More Cities Join Bike Safety Campaign
Written by Michael Papich   
Monday, 20 April 2015 16:18

RALEIGH - Ten new communities have joined the Watch for Me NC program to promote bicycle and pedestrian safety. Lauren Blackburn, director of the bicycle and pedestrian division in the state Department of Transportation, says part of the partnership means organizing to effectively spread information.

"Local coalitions include the health department, city transportation staff, police agencies and sometimes bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations," Blackburn says.

The new communities to join Watch for Me NC include Charlotte, Asheville, and Granville County, joining cities such as Raleigh, Carrboro and schools in the UNC system and Duke University.

Blackburn says partnering with the program offers many incentives, like promotional and informational materials.

"We purchase billboard ads and radio PSAs to help educate people while they're driving, walking and biking," Blackburn says.

In exchange for the materials and information, not only to cities and counties organize to spread information but police take training in bicycle and pedestrian safety. Blackburn says the DOT gets statistics on crashes and accidents from the cities who partner and says crosswalks are one of the biggest concerns when it comes to safety.

"One part of that may be that pedestrians are not applying the due diligence that they need to look in all directions and follow the laws with regards to signals and crosswalks and so forth," she says.

Blackburn says there is also confusion on the part of drivers at crosswalks.

"Motorists are often not even aware of what the laws say about yielding to pedestrians," she says. "That's a key safety concern."

Blackburn says lack of light on streets at night is also a big concern. For more information, go to watchformenc.org.

Last Updated on Monday, 20 April 2015 16:27
 
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