May is National Bicycle Safety Month, and Scotts Valley Police Department is urging everyone to prioritize bicyclist safety as warmer weather brings more riders onto the roads.
In 2022, over 1,100 bicyclists were killed and more than 46,000 injured nationwide, highlighting the critical need for shared responsibility.
“Bicycling is a great means of transportation and recreation, and everyone deserves to ride to their destination safely,” Sgt. Sjon Tol said. “Whether you are behind the wheel or on two wheels, we all share the responsibility to move safely on our roads.”
To promote this, Scotts Valley PD will conduct targeted traffic operations throughout May, focusing on dangerous driver behaviors like speeding, illegal turns and failure to yield that endanger bicyclists and pedestrians.
Scotts Valley PD also offered safety tips for both drivers and cyclists. Drivers should slow down, look carefully for riders, give ample space when passing (at least 3 feet in California), and avoid distractions or impairment. Bicyclists are advised to use lights at night, wear helmets (even if not legally required), travel with traffic, and yield to pedestrians.
This safety initiative is supported by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
