23June 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Chief Weitzel tweitzel@riverside.il.us 708.447.2127 - Follow RPD on Twitter @pdriverside

With warmer weather arriving, so do bicyclists and skateboarders!
Everyone needs to remember that safety is a priority!

Riverside Village Ordinance 8-2-23 states:
No person shall operate any skateboard, roller skates or bicycle upon or across any public sidewalk or
alley within the retail business district of this Village, as classified and designated by the Village Zoning
Ordinance and Zoning Map.

This ordinance not only applies to kids, but to everyone. A collision between a bike and pedestrian or vehicle can become a
tragedy.
Sadly, every year many bicycle accidents occur right here in Riverside. Sometimes its the fault of the motorist - but just as
many times the incident could have been averted by the bicyclist following the Illinois Rules of the Road.
Make time to discuss the dangers of riding bicycles, skateboards/skates in the downtown area with your children.
As motorists we encounter bicyclists frequently. Illinois law requires drivers exercise due care when approaching a bicyclist.
There are certain laws in place to help protect the bicyclist.
However, the bicyclist also has rules and laws to follow. The vast majority of them are the same rules that apply to all motor
vehicles. YESbicyclists must stop for stop signs but only 7% do according to statistics. YES - you must have a light on
your bike at night. Those are just a couple of many more rules that have to be followed.
Everyone should review the Rules of the Road and go to the Illinois Department of Transportation website for further
information at www.dot.state.il.us/bikemap/bikehome.html as it has a lot of information on bicycle safety. The Rules of the
Road pertaining to bicyclists can also be found under Illinois State Law Chapter 625. ILCS 11-1501 through 11-1511.
Good news is that 86% of riders wear a helmet; 70% of youths say they wear a helmet because their parents force them to.
We need to continue to educate our children as to why helmets are needed.
Drivers - be aware of the bicyclists and skateboarders. Bicyclists - obey the Rules of the Road and stay alert; watch for
opening car doors when cycling by parked vehicles. Skateboarders look out for opening car doors too and always be
aware of traffic around you - dont skate close to vehicles or skate out in front of vehiclesand above all STAY SAFE!

EWS RELEASE
RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT
31 Riverside Road, Riverside, IL 60546