PHILADELPHIA (AP)  Police in Philadelphia are cracking down on pedal-powered scofflaws.

Following the deaths of two pedestrians who were hit by bicycles last month, Philadelphia police are putting new emphasis on traffic laws for bike riders in downtown Philadelphia.

Police Capt. Dennis Wilson says increasing complaints about bicyclists blowing through red lights and stop signs and riding [...]

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) A former North Carolina firefighter pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill after shooting at a man riding a bicycle with his wife and 4-year-old son because he was concerned for the child’s safety.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reports that 42-year-old Charles Alexander Diez was sentenced Thursday to [...]

NJ cops: Driver texting about drug deal hits biker

MEDFORD, N.J. (AP) Police say a man who drove his car into a New Jersey cyclist had been sending a text message about a drug deal.

Authorities say 42-year-old Lisa Granert of Cherry Hill was riding her bike and wearing a reflective vest in Medford after 6 [...]

This report by transportation writer Ken Valenti will be published in tomorrow’s Journal News.

Should motorists be required to give bicycle riders a 3-foot buffer when driving past them?
Two state legislators — Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin — say yes, and plan to gather support for bills to introduce in January.
The idea [...]

Today Assemblywoman Paulin announced the introduction of a bill that will require motorists to remain at least three feet away from cyclists on the road. This clearance will give motorists a margin of error when passing cyclists in case either the motorist or the cyclist is suddenly required to change course.

The need for this legislation [...]

Journal News editorial spans New York Assemblywomen, Amy Paulin to introduce a 3-foot law to protect New York Cyclists. Journal News writer Ken Valenti Jr. is working on a full story for tomorrow’s paper. I know that David Wilson, President of the Westchester Cycle Club and co-founder of the Westchester Putnam Biking and Walking alliance [...]

You may have heard rumors that the Giro d’ Italia could start in Washington DC in 2011. This would be the first grand tour to start in the United States. I long time friend, Robin Morton and her team at g4 Productions or working with Mark Sommers, the Race Director of DC’s Capital Criterium. Morton [...]

Cyclist’s death highlights need for safety law

Merrill Cassell, the cyclist who was sideswiped by a Westchester Bee-Line bus and crushed under its wheels last week, was an advocate for integrating cycling with mass transit. This spring he worked on a campaign to get bike racks on county buses and bike storage lockers at transit hubs, [...]

Nearly 30 cyclists escorted the hearse carrying Merrill Cassell from Our Lady of Mount Carmel church in Elmsford to Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale. Many of the cyclists didn’t know Cassell but came out in tribute of his life and dedication to cycling. Cyclists often talk about the cycling community, and this ride is a strong [...]

Two cyclists in the Rockland Bicycling Club have raised questions about how the driver is back behind the wheel of a Bee-Line bus so quickly after being involved in an accident resulting in the death of Merrill Cassell.

They also voiced concern of the headline in today’s Journal News, “Cops say cyclist fell under bus.” Which [...]