East news Police on bicycles to target cyclists, pedestrians and distracted drivers in Whitehorse
Laura Jolley, Whitehorse Leader, October 6, 2013
POLICE on bicycles will patrol Whitehorse roads through October, targeting cyclist and pedestrian offences and distracted drivers.
Box Hill Senior Constable Damien Collins said Operation Giant would see officers from Box Hill, Nunawading and Burwood stations patrol the streets on bikes.
"They will be targeting bicycle offences - people riding without bike helmets, pedestrian offences especially around the Box Hill central business district, and distraction offences, such as drivers using mobile phones while driving," Sen-Constable Collins said.
He said vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians were on the roads in larger numbers in the warmer months, which meant they were also exposed to a greater risk of being involved in a collision.
"It is staggering that when a person can buy a decent bike helmet for $20 and keep their head safe, that there are cyclists who would rather risk serious injury and fines of over $150 by riding without one," he said.