CARLSBAD, Calif. — May is National Bicycle Safety Month, and the City of Carlsbad Police Department is partnering with the California Office of Traffic Safety to remind all about roadway safety.
TIPS FOR DRIVERS AND BICYCLISTS
Drivers
Slow down and give three to five feet of space when passing a bicycle.
Wait for a safe place to pass when driving behind a bike, especially on narrow roads.
If making a right turn, assume a bicyclist is traveling through the intersection unless they signal otherwise.
When making a left turn, yield to oncoming bicyclists just as you would for other drivers.
Look for cyclists before opening a car door.
Never drive distracted or impaired.
Bicyclists (including ebikes or electric bicycles)
Be predictable, safe, and seen: obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet.
Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.
Avoid the door zone: do not ride too closely to parked cars.
If there’s a bike lane, use it.
Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections.
“Carlsbad is a busy place especially during the summer months,” said Traffic Lieutenant Steve Thomas. “We all need to slow down, watch out for each other, follow the rules and laws, and arrive safely home.”
Thomas went on to say that working together we can have a safe and collision-free spring and summer in Carlsbad.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
For more information
Sergeant Chris Karches, 760-931-2107 or Chris.Karches@carlsbadca.gov
