Reminder to share the road following increase in bicycle fatalities and injuries in recent years

REDLANDS, Calif. – May is National Bicycle Safety Month, and the Redlands Police Department reminds drivers to share the road and offers tips for biking safely. 

Why it matters: The number of bicyclists killed and injured while riding bikes has increased in recent years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2022, 1,105 people were killed while riding a bike, a 15% increase from 2020. The number of bicyclists injured increased by about 20% between 2020 - 2022. 

Details: To help keep people safe while biking or walking, the Redlands Police Department will conduct a traffic safety operation in May focused on driver behaviors that put bicyclists and pedestrians at risk, such as speeding, making illegal turns, failure to yield right of way, and stop sign or red light running, Redlands Police announced in a press release. 

What they're saying: "Everyone deserves to reach their destination safely," RPD Cpl. Martin Gonzalez said. "Unfortunately, there has been an increase in bicycle fatalities and injuries over the last few years. Bicyclists do not have the same protections as people in a vehicle, so if you see a bicyclist — slow down."

Moving Forward: The RPD suggests safety tips for bicyclists and drivers to share the road safely. 

Drivers

• Slow down and follow the speed limit. Be careful 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 a lane, when possible, to pass bicyclists and always pass with at least 3 feet of space.
• Never drive distracted or impaired.

Bike Riders

• 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 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. 

A grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funds this program.