May is National Bicycle Safety Month and the Sacramento Police Department is encouraging those out walking, driving, or riding their bikes to look out for one another.

“Bicycling is a great means of transportation and recreation, and everyone deserves to ride to their destination safely,” Sgt. Ken Collier of the Traffic Unit said. “Let’s look out for one another and share the road, share the responsibility.” 

To help keep people biking or walking safe, the Sacramento Police Department will conduct traffic safety operations throughout the month focused on driver behaviors that put bicyclists and pedestrians at risk.

The Sacramento Police Department suggests the following tips to help keep you and your family safe:

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

• Be seen. Wear brightly colored clothing and have bike lights handy. (Front white light and rear red flashing light or reflectors).
• 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 of traffic and have the same requirements 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.