Biking (Photo – bikesgv.org).
Share the Road and Look Out for One Another.
By News Desk
May is National Bicycle Safety Month, and the Pasadena Police Department is encouraging more people to get active and safely take bike rides.
“Bicycling is a great means of transportation and recreation, and everyone deserves to ride to their destination safely,” Commander William Grisafe said. “Motorcycles may be difficult to spot, so be extra careful before changing lanes. Let’s look out for one another and share the road, share the responsibility.”
To help keep people biking or walking safe, the Pasadena Police Department will conduct a traffic safety operation on Friday, May 19 focused on driver behaviors that put bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians at risk, such as speeding, making illegal turns, failure to yield right of way, and disobeying stop signs/red lights.
The Pasadena Police Department suggests the following safety tips for bicyclists, motorcyclists, and drivers of automobiles:
Automobile Drivers
- Slow down and follow the speed limit. Be careful traveling through intersections.
- Look carefully for bicyclists and motorcyclists before making a turn or opening a car door near streets or bike paths.
- Be patient when traveling behind a cyclist and give them space when passing.
- California law requires drivers to change a lane, when possible, to pass bicyclists.
- Never drive distracted or impaired.
- Always check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes.
- Do not follow a bicycle or motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance.
Bike Riders
- Use lights at night.
- Although not required for riders 18 and older, always wear a properly secured helmet. Helmets significantly reduce the chance of a head injury in the event of a crash.
- Bicyclists must travel in the same direction as traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.
- Bicyclists should yield to pedestrians, just as a driver would. Pedestrians have the right-of-way within marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections.
Motorcyclists
- Always wear a U.S. DOT-compliant helmet with eye protection.
- Wear leather or other sturdy clothing, gloves, and boots with nonskid soles.
- Add reflective strips or decals to your clothing and motorcycle.
- Ride defensively. Don’t assume a driver can see you.
- Avoid riding in a driver’s blind spot.
- Always keep your lights on, even during the day.
Lastly, no one, drivers, bicycle riders, and motorcyclists, should ever drive/ride distracted or under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. And remember the traffic safety program on Friday, May 19.
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