May 4th, 2023
Share the Road and Look Out for One Another During Bicycle Safety Month
Lincoln, Calif. -May is National Bicycle Safety Month and the Lincoln Police Department is encouraging more people to get active and safely take bike rides.
“Bicycling is enjoyed by a large part of our community and everyone deserves to reach their destination safely,” Lt. Keith Johnson said.
To help keep people biking or walking safe, the Lincoln Police Department will conduct traffic safety operations throughout the month focused on driver and rider behaviors that put bicyclists and pedestrians at risk, such as speeding, making illegal turns, failure to yield right of way, and stop sign/red light running.
The Lincoln Police Department suggests the following safety tips for bicyclists and drivers:
Drivers
- Slow down and follow the speed limit. Be careful traveling through intersections.
- Look carefully for bicyclists and pedestrians before making a turn or opening a car door near streets or bike paths.
- Be patient when traveling behind a bicyclist and give them space when passing. California law requires drivers to change a lane, when possible, to pass bicyclists.
- Never drive distracted or impaired.
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 follow traffic laws and must travel in the same direction of traffic, stop at posted stop signs and other requirements just as any slow-moving vehicle.
- Yield to pedestrians, just as a driver would. Pedestrians have the right-of-way within marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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