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Bicycle in Bike Lane on Santa Rosa St

SLO PD to focus on Bike Safety

Bike and Drive Smart on Thursday, February 4th (and every other day of the year…)

The San Luis Obispo Police Department will step up their bike safety enforcement operations on Thursday, February 4th, with focused enforcement on collision-causing factors bike safety stop signinvolving motorists and bicycle riders. Special patrols will be deployed to crack down on drivers and bicyclists who violate traffic laws meant to protect all roadway users.

The Police Department has mapped out locations from over the past three years where bicycle-involved collisions have occurred and noted the violations that led to those crashes. Officers will be looking for violations made by car drivers and bike riders alike that can lead to life changing injuries.

The following safety tips can save lives and should be practiced every day, not just on days of increased police enforcement, and not just in the City of San Luis Obispo:

Car Drivers:

  • Yield to cyclists at intersections and as directed by signs and signals. Failure to yield is the #1 reason for accidents when cars are at fault
  • ‘Share the road’ with bicyclists
  • Be courteous; California law now mandates at least three feet of clearance when passing bike riders
  • Look for cyclists before opening a car door or pulling out from a driveway or parking space
  • Be especially watchful for riders when making turns, either left or right
  • Be predictable, use turn signals
  • Obey traffic signals, speed limits and stop signs

Bicycle Drivers:

  • When cycling in the street, cyclists must drive in the same direction as traffic. Wrong way cycling is the #1 reason for accidents when bicycles are at fault
  • Don’t ride on sidewalks. People and cars aren’t looking for you there (and it’s illegal in the City of SLO)
  • Be predictable, signal turns and stops with your hands
  • When possible, make eye contact with drivers
  • Bicycle Drivers are considered vehicle operators; you are required to obey the same rules of the road as other vehicle operators, including obeying traffic signs, stop signs, signals, and lane markings
  • Bicyclists can increase their visibility to drivers by wearing fluorescent or brightly colored clothing during the day, and at dawn and dusk
  • To be noticed when riding at night, the law requires a front light and a red reflector to the rear
  • For additional safety, use a flashing rear light, and use retro-reflective tape or markings on equipment or clothing

Bike safety, and road safety in general, is something to strive for 24/7, 365. Let’s make the roads safer for everyone.

Like bikes? Join us! It’s free!

SLO Bike Rodeo

Back in the Saddle: SLO BIKE RODEO

The City of San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation Department once again will partner with the SLO Police Department to host their annual Bike Rodeo. The Bike Rodeo promotes the joy of riding with an emphasis on safety education.

bike_rodeo_2015_600Children from age 4-14 are instructed in bike safety techniques before taking a ride through our “Safety Town” learning and practice course. Bike tune-ups are also conducted by local bike shop mechanics and helmets are checked for proper fit.

Join the Bike Safety Parade around Hawthorne School during the event, allowing participants to put their safety skills into action. End the day with a BMX stunt show and prize giveaway. Goody bags and lunch are provided to each participant.

Please remember that each child will need a bicycle, helmet and a signed Permission Slip (available at the Bike Rodeo) signed by guardian or parent.

Light Up SLO County

The San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club (SLOBC) and the San Luis Obispo County Bicycle Coalition are using Rideshare’s Bike Month and the region’s bicycle and pedestrian safety campaign, #LetsGetVisible, to kick-off a unique bike safety program, Light Up San Luis Obispo County!

The SLOBC and the Bicycle Coalition have partnered to purchase a supply of bicycle lights that have been provided, LightUpSLOCountyLaw440without cost, to all of our local law enforcement agencies. Patrol officers will have the opportunity to give a free set of lights to any person riding a bicycle at night without the legally required lighting equipment. SLOBC President Will Benedict said, “This effort will help cyclists be lawful and more visible at night and greatly improve safety for all users of our roadways.”

Cal Poly Chief of Police George Hughes said, “This program will give our police officers a positive way to encourage students to comply with bicycle lighting requirements on and around our campus.”

“The community support for Bike Month is overwhelming”, said Stephanie Hicks, Program Manager for SLO Regional Ride Share. “Light Up San Luis Obispo County”, in conjunction with Bike Month activities and the region’s new bicycle and pedestrian safety campaign #LetsGetVisible underscores our region’s commitment to safe roadways for all users.

Participating agencies include the Police Departments of Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, CHP, Cal Poly PD, Cuesta College PD, Grover Beach, Morro Bay, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department.

The SLOBC, founded in 1971, is a non-profit organization that promotes safe and legal bicycle riding for recreation and transportation. For more information about the club and our activities, please visit our website at www.slobc.org and our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/slobc.org

Let’s Get Visible and Light Up SLO County!

Like Bikes?

Become a member of The Bike Coalition – it’s free to sign-up and we’ll keep you informed every month about bike events and issues in SLO County. Click this link to join: I Like Bikes!