Volunteers Continue to Promote Safety and Courtesy on the B-Line

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2012

For More Information:
Vince Caristo, Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, City of Bloomington Planning Department, 349.3473, caristov@bloomington.in.gov
Linda Thompson, Sr. Environmental Planner, City of Bloomington Planning Department, 349.3473, thompsol@bloomington.in.gov
Brian Robinson, Interim Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349.3406, robinsonb@bloomington.in.gov

Volunteers Continue to Promote Safety and Courtesy on the B-Line

Bloomington, IN - Several area organizations will distribute bicycle bells to cyclists on the B-Line Trail and on the campus of Indiana University on Friday, Feb. 24 from 3 to 5 p.m. The scheduled rain date Friday, March 30. The project, part of the MLK Service Day Initiative, intends to encourage safe behaviors and common courtesy on Bloomington's trail system.

In 2011, Bloomington's trail system grew by 44%, attracting new users of all ages and walks of life. Accompanying this growth is the possibility of uncertainty among different types of users regarding their rights and responsibilities. This project will address the relationship between cyclists and pedestrians.

Indiana state law requires all bicycles to be equipped with a bell or other audible device, and for bicyclists to give an audible signal when necessary to avoid a collision with another bicyclist or pedestrian. In addition to receiving a legally required bell, cyclists participating in the project will be encouraged to ride at safe speeds, give a friendly warning when passing cyclists and pedestrians, and to approach intersections attentively.

This project is funded by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission and is a collaboration among the following groups: The Bloomington Project School; City of Bloomington Environmental Commission; City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department; City of Bloomington Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Commission; Bloomington Community Bicycle Project and the Indiana University Bicycle Steering Committee.

More information about bicycle safety can be obtained from the City's bicycling web page at http://bloomington.in.gov/bike.

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