Bicyclists to be charged for riding on crosswalks
Every year too many Belizeans die in totally unnecessary traffic accidents. Whether it’s our refusal to adhere to the laws or a lack of enforcement, with the public’s safety in mind the Belize City Council has resurrected a law that might just save a few lives. Janelle Chanona reports.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
In a matter of minutes, our cameraman busted several bicyclists breaking the law…
That’s right, while the city has provided a bike path, it doesn’t give you the right of way to use the pedestrian crossings. And guess what, not only is it illegal, it carries a charge.
Paco Smith, Manager, P.R. Dept., Belize City Council
“Those who ride through the crosswalks under the law, the bicycle would be considered a vehicle…the cost of the ticket is twenty-five dollars. As in all things, we have a process that we go through, so if someone is ticketed and they refuse to pay the ticket, and it eventually goes to court, they may be fined upwards to a maximum of one hundred and five dollars for that particular offence.”
Such is the law, but enforcement is another thing entirely. After all, aren’t bikes supposed to be licensed too? The Belize City Council is confident that despite their limited resources they can make a difference.
Janelle Chanona
“Being as difficult as it is right now to issue tickets, can we expect to see traffic officers running down bicycles doing things that they are not suppose to be doing?”
Paco Smith
“Well, I would like to say on behalf of our traffic wardens, our traffic officers that they are diligent…they are committed. I’m sure that they wouldn’t do anything to endanger their safety nor the safety of others. But I’d like to make an appeal to the general public to please adhere to these regulations, because the whole gist of it involves a safety for the residents of the city.”
But while the crosswalks are off limits, weaving in and out of traffic is not the answer…
This is…(woman walking her bike over the pedestrian crossing)
And even if you find yourself behind the wheel watching somebody break the law right in front of you, unless you feel like making a citizen’s arrest, you are still obliged to stop. Reporting for News 5, I am Janelle Chanona.
