BOSTON—Boston is preparing to crack down on scofflaw bicyclists as officials gear up for an anticipated flood of new riders taking part in the city's new bike-share program.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said police will begin handing out tickets to bicyclists for running red lights and to drivers for disobeying the rules of the road and creating dangerous situations for cyclists.

Menino said police will at first concentrate at so-called "high crash zones" where bicyclists and motorists historically find themselves at odds.

The city is also launching an education safety program including distributing educational literature for cyclists and free helmets provided by the Boston Public Health Commission.

Thousands of riders are expected to begin crowding Boston's narrow streets when the bike sharing program begins later this month.

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