May is National Bicycle Safety Month, and the Burbank Police Department is encouraging bike riders to be cautious while cycling and asking drivers to be mindful of bicyclists and pedestrians while on the road.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 1,105 people killed while riding a bike in 2022, and an estimated 46,195 bicyclists were injured. In 2021, 976 bicyclists were killed (a 1.9% increase from 2020), and an estimated 41,615 bicyclists were injured (a 7% increase from 2020).
To help keep people safe while biking or walking, the Burbank Police Department will conduct traffic safety operations throughout the month focused on driving behavior that put bicyclists and pedestrians at risk, such as speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield the right of way and running stop signs/red lights.
Below are some tips BPD has provided to drivers and bicyclists in an effort to promote safety:
DRIVERS
• Slow down and follow the speed limit. Be careful when 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 lanes, when possible, to pass bicyclists and always pass with at least 3 feet of space.
• Never drive distracted or impaired.
BICYCLISTS
• Use lights at night.
• 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.
First published in the May 18 print issue of the Burbank Leader.
