Operation Rudolph cracking down on cyclists

Police will be stricter with cyclists this holiday season.

After eight collisions in 2006 resulting in serious personal injury to cyclists, five of which resulted in death, the London police department is meeting the requirements of the law regarding lighting equipment for cyclists, in the creation of Operation Rudolph.

In light of the most recent collision, that occurred on Aldersbrook Road north of Gainsborough Road in London on Saturday November 25 and resulted in the death of another cyclist, combined with the previous four deaths this year, the London police department will be running Operation Rudolph until December 25 2006.

Officers are going to be making a point to deal with cyclists that are not following the law regarding lighting equipment. The fine will total $35 for anyone not abiding by this law.

The Highway Traffic Act (HTA) requires that a cyclist have a white light to the front and a red light or reflector to the rear of their bicycles.

“Every motor assisted bicycle, bicycle, or tricycle shall carry on the front thereof a lighted lamp displaying a white or amber light and on the rear thereof a lighted lamp displaying a red light or a reflector approved by the Ministry,” the HTA section reads.