May is National Bicycle Safety Month
May is National Bicycle Safety Month and Pasadena Police Department encourages drivers and bicyclists to share the road safely not just for the month of May, but every month of the year. “Our second bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement program will take place on Friday, May 3 1 said Traffic Section Lieutenant Mark Goodman. This is a continuation of the first program that took place on May 24.
“We want everyone to share the road safely. We all have a shared responsibility to look out for one another,” said Goodman. Traffic Section personnel will be looking for motorists who are speeding, failing to yield, turning improperly, or engaging in other dangerous driving behaviors. Bicyclists are urged to follow the rules of the road and to ride with the flow of traffic, and pedestrians are encouraged to cross the street at signalized intersections or at crosswalks. Goodman said, “Most people do not give much thought to ‘jaywalking,’ but it can be very dangerous,”
Pasadena Police Department suggests following these tips to ensure the safety of everyone using roadways:
- Drivers should look behind them before making a turn at an intersection, especially if crossing into a designated bike lane.
- Drivers should use extra caution backing up or leaving a parking space.
- Bicyclists should go with the flow of traffic and let faster traffic pass.
- Bicyclists should make themselves visible and wear brightly colored clothing.
- Bicyclists are advised to use lights from dusk to dawn (front white light and rear red flashing light or reflectors).
- Bicyclists should always wear a helmet and use hand signals when turning or stopping.
- Both drivers and bicyclists should avoid distractions like using their cell phone.
Funding for bicycle safety enforcement is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
