Cape police to add more bike patrol officers
By Lindsey Fry, Reporter, ABC 7, February 4, 2015
CAPE CORAL, FL -
Cape Coral police are stepping up their patrols and putting more officers on bikes. It's an effort to make the roads safer for both pedestrians and bicyclists.
"That's ultimately our goal" said Cape Coral Public Information Officer, Dana Coston.
Cape Coral police are focusing on safety after 27-year-old Joel Nichols was hit and killed riding his bike home from work Sunday night. The driver took off, but was later arrested. This makes the city's first deadly bike hit and run this year.
"It's not anything that we want to happen but those types of events can have a galvanizing effect and be a catalyst, and that's exactly what we've seen here" said Coston.
Cape Coral police recently received a $59,000 grant to add bike patrols throughout the city. It's all in hopes of reducing the number of pedestrian related accidents.
"2013 was probably our highest number of traffic fatalities in any given year," said Coston.
Coston said they want to educate bicyclists on safety.
"We're seeing a lot of people riding without helmets" said Bicycle Instructor Shawn Lukens.
Right now, 13 officers are training to be certified for bike patrol. In a few weeks, 25 officers will take to the streets, all in hopes of protecting riders.
"The officer is going to have educational materials with them. They may have a bike light, they may have a bike helmet they can hand out," said Coston.
Anything, Coston says, to prevent anymore bicycle related deaths.
"When you have a 2,000 pound vehicle meeting a 45 pound bicycle that bicycle is going to lose every single time," said Coston.