INFORMATION RELEASE

INFORMATION RELEASE

Subject: Be Safe Be Seen Bicycle Safety Project Date: 3-18-15
From: Lt. Kris Sell Case or Incident: N/A

Officers of the Juneau Police Department, when investigating a collision where a vehicle driver has hit a bicycle rider, regularly collect the same statement from vehicle drivers. That statement is, ?I am so sorry, I just did not see him.? Bicyclists often are severely injured when struck by a car and can suffer months or years of dealing with the injury.
Modern motorcycles have headlights that come on automatically and some insurance companies offer discounts on vehicles that have daytime running lights. Visibility is a known key safety factor on the road and now many Juneau citizens are coming together to make bicycles more visible.
In an effort to make bicycling safer and to spare vehicle drivers the shock and anguish of striking a bicyclist, multiple community and government groups are teaming up for a ground-breaking three month bicycle safety project right here in Juneau. Juneau Rides, the Juneau Free Wheelers, Cycle Alaska, the Juneau Police Department, and the CBJ are recruiting up to 100 regular bicycle riders, commuters if possible. Those volunteer riders will get free bicycle lights for the front and back of his or her bike.
Volunteers will be asked to provide regular feedback to project organizers to determine if the bicyclist feels he or she is more visible to motorists. Motorists are an important part of this safety project and will also be encourage to provide information to the organizers.
The safety project will run from April 18 to July 18, 2015. At the close of the project a report will be issued with information from the volunteer riders and motorists as the organizers try to determine if the lights made bicycle riding safer. The police department will also provide data as to bicycle involved collisions during that time compared to other years.
Volunteer riders will be required to wear a helmet and follow all rules of the road that apply to bicycles. They will keep the provided lights, donated by Cycle Alaska, as a thank you for participating. If you would like to volunteer to be a participating rider, please email [email protected].
All factual allegations contained in this release are based upon preliminary investigation and are subject to change or clarification as the investigation continues. Any charges reported in this release are merely accusations and all persons named in this release are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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