Police officers in safety vest surprise cyclists on one of the busiest cycling trails in the city in the morning. Because it was dark for a long time, patrols were controlled by people running on machines equipped with the necessary reflectors and lights. For three cyclists, the week began with fines.
U Padre Street is a strategic bicycle path for riders heading from Douro to the center of Pilsner. Right here, just outside the city bus stop, where brands order cyclists to dismount from their machines and about 50 meters of bicycle lead, a police patrol appeared at 7:30 am.
The flashlight with a red light in his hand in a reflective jacket is uncompromising for cyclists. He must stop. “It’s a big surprise, at first I did not even understand it was for me. I never checked a policeman while riding a bicycle, “says Jana.
The policeman stopped her, for she did not light the front white light when she was driving. She had a mounted bike on it. Cyclist apologized. She thought she did not need to shine on the cycle path. The rear red light was on when driving.
After a conversation with the policeman, the white light switched on, the police spokesman Hanna received all the stops of the cyclist’s reflective tapes, and the cyclist, with the agreement of the police officers, went on his way to work.
One hundred crowns for missing light
For the first hour police officers fined two cyclists who did not have the lights on the wheels at all. “This is the first time I have to check my bike. It’s one of my last rides this year, I buy the lights in the spring, “said a young man who paid a hundred-crown fine for his bicycle without the rear red light.
After Pilsner they are not afraid of cycling because of their cycling routes. “Maybe it’s done well here around the main move from the center of Pilsner to Prague,” says Marot. Why did the police focus on cyclists right now? The night is lengthening, in the morning it is about seven o’clock, when many people begin to shift, the night is dark about eight o’clock.
Vaclav of BESIP says bicycle lights along with reflectors and reflective clothing elements are now vital to cyclists as well as pedestrians. “Even an ordinary white plastic bag highlights pedestrian drivers for 50 to 70 meters, reflective garment items will alert the driver to 200 or even more meters,” warns road safety specialist.