May is National Bicycle Safety Month, and the Susanville Police Department is reaching out to the community to share vital safety advice for both drivers and those on two wheels.
Whether it is children riding to school or older adults staying active, bicycling remains a primary mode of transportation and a beloved pastime for many Californians. To help ensure everyone reaches their destination safely, the department is urging all residents to remain alert and cautious.
The importance of these safety measures is underscored by recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which reported that 1,166 people were killed while riding bicycles on U.S. roads in 2023, with nearly 50,000 others injured.
In California alone, 145 bicyclists lost their lives in motor vehicle traffic crashes during that same period. In response to these figures, the Susanville Police Department will be conducting specialized traffic safety operations throughout the month.
These efforts will focus on dangerous driver behaviors such as speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield the right of way, and running stop signs or red lights.
For those behind the wheel, safety begins with slowing down and strictly adhering to the speed limit, particularly when traveling through intersections. Drivers should look carefully for bicyclists and pedestrians before making any turns or opening car doors near streets and bike paths.
Patience is also essential; motorists are encouraged to give riders plenty of space and are reminded that California law requires drivers to change lanes when possible to pass a bicyclist, always maintaining a minimum of three feet of clearance. Most importantly, drivers must never operate a vehicle while distracted or impaired.
Bicyclists also play a key role in road safety by ensuring they are visible and predictable. Riders should always use lights when traveling at night and wear a properly secured helmet. While helmets are not legally required for riders 18 and older, they significantly reduce the risk of head injuries during a crash.
Bicyclists are required to travel in the same direction as traffic and must follow the same rules as any other slow-moving vehicle. Additionally, riders must yield to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks as pedestrians maintain the right-of-way at intersections.
Funding for this safety program is provided through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For more information regarding local safety initiatives, residents can contact the Susanville Police Department at 1.530.257.5603 or visit the station during business hours.
