Forks Township Police Chief Promotes Bike Safety

With a on the books and the weather getting warmer, will push bike safety over the next few months.

The Forks Township Police Department will hold its 9th Annual Bike Derby from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the community park on Wednesday, June 13.

For Police Chief Greg Dorney, bike safety is a must.

"We have bike paths throughout the whole community," Dorney said. "Forks Township has invested a lot of money in the bike paths and developers have made them a part of their projects."

State laws regarding bike safety have also changed.

Some new rules of the road went into effect at the start of April. The laws stress that motorists must leave a 4-foot cushion of safety when passing a bicyclist.

Bicycle riders also have the right of way when traveling in the opposite direction of a driver making a turn. Bike riders are also being asked not to disrupt normal traffic patterns.

That law will be addressed at the township Bike Derby.

Parents will receive a copy of the Pennsylvania Bicycle Manual and children will get a bicycle safety activity coloring book. Officers will also register and license bicycles for township residents.

will offer free bike safety instructions and The Coalition of Alternate Transportation will inspect children's bicycle helmets. The Forks Police Department will give out new helmets to children who have unsafe or damaged helmets.

The event is open to children of all ages using two-wheeled bikes, including those with training wheels, and tricycles.

Derby registration forms are available at the Forks municipal building, community center and police department.

For more information, call Officer Steven T. Nicholson at 610-252-0377.

Dorney said that police officers will once again be on bike patrol when the weather warms, checking out the bike paths, patrolling area shopping centers and checking in with businesses.

He is also working with Ron Roth of the area Kiwanis Club to put together a program on bike safety, although no date has been set.