BICYCLE SAFETY

This week’s article is about bicycle safety. As a police officer, especially a motorcycle officer, I am aware of the dangers associated with being on the road when you are not surrounded by metal. Along with the freedom a bicycle provides, there are multiple risks encountered when on the road.

The most important rule for bicyclists to be aware of is that bicyclists are required to follow all the same rules and regulations as other vehicles. This includes stopping for stop sign, stopping for red lights, and traveling on the correct side of the road.

One of the most common things I see is bicyclists riding on the sidewalk with their backs to traffic and not watching for vehicles turning into or pulling out of driveways and parking lots. Bicyclists need to be aware that they are less visible than vehicles. A driver of a vehicle may intend to turn into a parking lot and look for cars pulling out, but may not see an approaching bicyclist. To protect themselves, bicyclists need to be extra vigilant in looking for cars and potential hazards.

The California Vehicle Code allows the riding of a bicycle to the road and prohibits it on the sidewalk. The only time a bicyclist or vehicle is allowed to drive on the sidewalk is when entering or exiting adjacent property. This includes driveways.

Another trend I have seen in the last year is juveniles removing the brakes from their bicycles and using their feet or rapidly changing directions to stop. There are multiple reasons why this is unsafe but the clearest reason is that stopping ability is greatly reduced. I have seen multiple children almost collide with vehicles or stationary objects because they have removed the brakes from their bicycles. I encourage the parents of children who ride their bicycles to regularly inspect the bicycles to ensure that the brakes are working properly. The California Vehicle Code requires that one brake on the bicycle be able to make the wheel lock and skid.

Another issue for minors is the requirement to wear helmets while riding bicycles, skateboards, scooters, and any type of roller skate. California Vehicle Code Section 21212(a) states in summary that a person under 18 years of age shall not operate a bicycle, a nonmotorized scooter, skateboard, or roller skates,
upon a street or bikeway unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet.

Wearing a helmet is important for everyone but it is especially important for small children. Small children are not generally as coordinated as adults on bicycles and because they are lower to the ground they do not have the same field of view. One of the most common child involved collisions is when a child on a bicycle rides out from between parked vehicles into the path of a moving vehicle. With small children being lower to the ground their heads are more likely to be struck by the hood of a vehicle where an adult is more likely to roll over the top of the vehicle. Bicycle helmets are designed to compress and reduce the impact force to the head in the event of a collision or impact. When a helmet has been involved in a collision or impact it should be replaced.

There are multiple equipment requirements for bicycles. To see a full list of requirements see California Vehicle Code Section 21201. In addition to the bicycle requirements in the California Vehicle Code, the City of Woodland requires all bicycles ridden on the street to be licensed with the city and have a kickstand. To register your bicycle you need to bring your bicycle to the front counter of the Woodland Police Department and fill out the appropriate forms. One advantage of having your bicycle registered is in the event your bicycle is stolen, the serial number will be on file with the Woodland Police Department. When the bicycle is located we will be able to return it to you.

Parents, please ensure that your children are riding safely with a properly equipped bicycle and helmet. Since 1932, 52,000 bicyclists have been killed in collisions in the United States (NHTSA April 2009) so please do your part to ride safely and encourage others to do the same. Don’t forget to visit the Woodland Police Department traffic blog at www.thetrafficstop.blogspot.com and leave your questions or comments.