The Ontwa Township-Edwardsburg Police Department is cracking down on drivers and bicycle riders who are having a hard time sharing the roadway.

During a recent police board meeting, it was brought to the attention of the board there were problems with bicycles and drivers in the township. Two bike groups were represented at the meeting by their presidents.

“It seems that the bicycle groups have been having problems with vehicle traffic passing them and then hitting the brakes causing problems with the bicycle riders and running them off the roadway,” Chief Kenneth Wray said. “On the other hand, the police board members have been made aware by members of the community that the bicycle riders are hampering traffic on some of the roadways by riding side-by-side or even in large groups. It has even been reported that they have run stop signs crossing main highways in front of vehicles.”

Due to the problem, both the presidents of the bike groups and the police board, have asked that traffic citations be issued to both groups when they fail to obey the law.

“Bicycles have to follow the same laws that motorized vehicles have to follow — stop at stop signs and lights, signal turns, so on and so forth,” Wray said.

“Vehicle drivers have to abide by the laws of the state as it pertains to all vehicles. Causing a bicycle crash can injure a bicyclist badly by hitting the brakes in front of them or running them off the roadway. Remember, this could be a case of reckless driving or careless driving causing a crash and will be prosecuted just as if it were a vehicle crash.”

Wray is asking that all motor vehicle operators and bicycle riders cooperate with each other.

“Be courteous when using the roadways in Ontwa Township and the County of Cass,” Wray said.