Bike Traps Coming to a Road Near You

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Bike Traps Coming to a Road Near You

Five Utah police agencies will be participating in a state-sponsored crackdown on motorists who aren't sharing the roads with bicycles.

You've heard of speed traps but have you heard of a bicycle trap?

Five Utah police agencies will be participating in a state-sponsored crackdown on motorists who aren't sharing the roads with bicycles.

Plainclothes officers will ride bicycles to catch motorists who aren't sharing the road. Assistant Chief Craig Gibson says it's a growing safety problem.

“One of these days we think the weather will improve. We expect people to be out on bikes. We have a lot of construction in Layton right now and a lot of traffic in general. We want to educate and make people aware there are bicycles on the road.”

Assistant Layton Police Chief Craig Gibson says what they'll do is put plainclothes cops on bikes to catch motorists. Cops in cars will then write the tickets.

“The only way you can do this type of program effectively is to set it up and have it choreographed.”

On average, the state health department says 900 bicyclists are hit each year. Four other Utah police departments are participating in the statewide enforcement program.

Expect the bicycle trap to begin next month.