Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - As a new school year begins, bicycle advocates are calling on better road designs to keep cyclists safe while sharing the road. Buffalo's police commissioner says both drivers and cyclists need to pay more attention and obey the rules of the road.
Kevin Heffernan of GOBike Buffalo says this has been an aggravating summer.
"There are five hit and runs that we know of that have killed three people and two others are still in the hospital, and as far as we're aware, all five of those drivers got away with it and have not been caught despite all our follow up with law enforcement," said Heffernan.
Heffernan believes road design is the best solution. He's been working with lawmakers to do complete streets-based design.
"Complete Streets design concept mandate that you have to take everyone into account those people I just mentioned, and drivers. When you design a road for safety, not just speed," Heffernan added.
Heffernan has heard of the ongoing debate over who's to blame.
"'If these cyclists would just behave better,' and the cyclists turn around and point fingers too, 'If these drivers would just behave better.' Again, it comes back to if we had infrastructure that equally protected both, we wouldn't be having these arguments," he noted.
Heffernan adds that GOBike does extensive, expansive educational programs to get the word out as best as possible on how dangerous that is.
"At the same time, you're driving down the road and you see someone use the turn lane as a passing lane. You see someone blowing through a red light. The point here is, yes, a cyclist who is breaking these rules does put themselves at risk. But when a driver, especially one of a larger vehicle, is breaking these rules, they put everyone around them at risk," Heffernan said.
Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia says each crash is investigated individually, and there could be different reasons for them. However, he does have advice for cyclists.
"You have to have your head on a swivel at all times when you're riding a bike, and we are seeing accidents where the bicyclist would be the contributing factor to the accident," said Gramaglia.
He further advises cyclists to wear proper equipment, including helmets, follow the bike lanes and be aware of your surroundings.
Motorists also have a responsibility while sharing the road with cyclists.
"The more technology is built up in the vehicles to make driving more safe. All that technology can be distracting, and again, that also goes back to cell phone. So drivers have to do the same thing that the bicyclists are. They have to have their heads on a swivel, and they have to be looking around," Gramaglia advised.
With the new school year starting, Gramaglia says roadways are going to get more congested.
"There's going to be a lot more traffic, and motorists are going to have to allow for more time once school starts next week. If your routine is going to change, leave earlier because you are going to be tied up with more traffic, you have to drive slower," Gramaglia warned.