In the wake of recent discussions about bike safety in Charlottesville, the city has launched "Operation Share the Road," a public safety education and enforcement initiative on West Main Street which will run throughout the next few weeks.
The initiative - sponsored by Charlottesville Police, the city's communication department, the Citizen Bike Safety Committee and traffic engineers - arises after a string of bike accidents that occurred on West Main Street during the past year, according to a City of Charlottesville press release, including that of University graduate student Matthew King, who passed away April 19 after a truck struck him as he was bicycling.
Those participating in the effort hope to reduce illegal and unsafe habits that have surfaced from heavy automobile and bicycle traffic on city roads.
Police officers will survey the area, handing out information to educate drivers and bicyclists alike, hoping to "identify challenges that face both motorists and bicyclists down that busy corridor," the press release stated.
-compiled by Tom Christensen