Strathmere officials report alarming increase in bike accidents

STRATHMERE -"They are not following the rules of the road and they don't understand the rules of the road," said Steve Nickelsberg, Safety Officer with the Strathmere Fire Company. 

And officials in Strathmere say this summer, because of that, the number of bicycle accidents has reached a record high.

"We've had more than a dozen accidents including one fatality. Not one accident that we've been to has been the fault of a car. Everyone has been the fault of the biker not following the rules," said Nickelsberg.

"The bicyclists don't have a care in the world. They think they own the roads," said Derek Neill, a resident in Somers Point.

Beach goers and nearby residents say it's a hassle driving down Landis Avenue in Strathmere, with bikers riding in the middle of the road, ignoring traffic laws.

"We had a fire truck responding to a call with sirens, lights and an air horn and bicyclists weren't moving out of the way, forcing us into ongoing traffic to get out of the way," said Nickelsberg.

And that's why Nickelsberg made a post on Facebook urging bike riders to adhere to the rules and stay as far to the right of the road as possible.

"We have large vehicles full of steel. They really need to be a little bit more cautious," said Neill.

"We are subject to the same laws as motor vehicles so that gives us the same rights to the road," said Roy Gehrig, a bicyclist. 

But folks we spoke with say something needs to be done to fix this problem.

"I wish there was a bike path or somewhere for them to go," said Nicole Boland, a resident in Strathmere.

Meanwhile, officials with the local fire company are asking the county for help.

"We've asked them for alternate side parking or a bike lane or anything that would help us," said Nickelsberg.

But for now, the riding dispute remains in the small town.

"Lighten up and share the road," said Gehrig. 




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