Florida Cops to get Training on Cycling Law

Training Cops on how to deal with not just Motorists, but Cyclists?

What a brilliant idea! ;-D

Someone in Florida thinks so, anyway.

Tempers flare and insults fly on any given weekend along State Road A1A as cyclists and motorists share the scenic roadway through barrier island communities...

To defuse the situation, and establish and maintain order on roads throughout the state, an education program is being developed under a $30,000 grant from the Florida Department of Transportation Safety.

The Florida Bicycling Association and the Safe Bicycling Coalition of Palm Beach County are working with Palm Beach County's Law Enforcement Planning Council to develop a training curriculum for local law enforcement agencies.

George Martin, executive director of the coalition and a former board member of the biking association, is in charge of writing a guide with a series of questions and scenarios officers routinely face in enforcing state statutes that govern cyclists and motorists.

The curriculum, when completed, is likely to take the form of a two-hour, interactive DVD/computer-based training program for police officers. Martin said he expects it to be available next year. He said it eventually could be used to train cyclists and motorists through public safety announcements.

The overall goal, Martin said, is to provide a safe and cooperative environment for all who use Florida roads.

From a story in the Palm Beach Daily News ( 2/2 ):

Bicycle safety is groups' priority: Grant is funding development of training program for local law enforcement agencies by Margie Kacoha.

Technorati Tags: Bicycling, Cycling, Cyclists, Law, Motorists