Issue date: 11/6/07 Section: News

Many Cal Poly students choose to bike to school as their main mode of transportation, but some bikers on campus do not follow the same rules as motorists.

Last week Ashley Tillery, an architecture freshman, was near Alex G. Spanos stadium halfway through the crosswalk when she was hit by a Cal Poly student on a bike.

"I woke to people talking about the biker being behind a car and not being able to see me," Tillery said.

The bloody Tillery was taken by ambulance to the emergency room and given a CAT scan. She escaped with a mild concussion and three stitches to the laceration on her head.

"I think the problem is that bicyclists think they are pedestrians," Tillery said.

Although biking may not be the same as driving a car, bicyclists are held to the same standards as motorists.

San Luis Obispo City Council member Christine Mulholland wants students to be safe while riding.

"Bikers must recognize that they must follow state vehicle laws; it is part of being a cyclist."

According to the California Vehicle Code (CVC 21200), every person riding a bicycle upon a (roadway) has all the rights of and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle.

"Most bicycle problems are on Foothill and California streets and Hathaway area because there is a heavier volume of bicycle traffic," said San Luis Obispo police Sgt. Kurt Hixenbaugh. "A lot of bike riders are supposed to be following the same rules as motorists."

The Annual Traffic Safety Report of 2006 evaluated collisions in the city. The Santa Rosa Street and Foothill Boulevard intersection is one of the five highest-ranked locations for bicycle collisions along with the Olive Street and Santa Rosa Street intersection, due to the high speed limits along Santa Rosa Street.

"We encourage the students and community to bike and share the safety for all on the road," said Adam Fukushima, San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition (SLOCBC) executive director.

Mayor Dave Romero believes San Luis Obispo is doing its part to keep the roads safe and continue to encourage biking in the community.

"We have a bike-friendly community with bike lanes and bike boulevards. We have received a silver award for being a bike-friendly city," Romero said.

The statewide silver award is held by only San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara for those cities' efforts in bike safety. Davis is the highest-rated city, holding a platinum ranking for efforts in bicycling.

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