With more residents choosing bicycles for commuting, recreation, and exercise, the Sacramento Police Department is reminding everyone to stay alert and put safety first.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 1,105 bicyclists were killed and an estimated 46,195 injured in crashes in 2022 across the United States.

“Bicycling is a great means of transportation and recreation, and everyone deserves to ride to their destination safely,” said Sacramento Police Sgt. Anna Mahoney. “Whether you are behind the wheel or on two wheels, we all share the responsibility to move safely on our roads.”

Throughout the month, the department will conduct traffic safety operations focused on dangerous driver behaviors that put bicyclists and pedestrians at risk. These include speeding, illegal turns, failure to yield the right of way and running red lights or stop signs.

To improve safety for all road users, police are offering the following tips:

For drivers:

• Slow down and obey the speed limit, especially at intersections.
• Look carefully for bicyclists and pedestrians before turning or opening car doors.
• Be patient when driving near bicyclists and allow plenty of space when passing. State law requires at least 3 feet of clearance or a lane change when possible.
• Never drive while impaired or distracted.

For bicyclists:

• Use lights when riding at night.
• Always wear a helmet. Helmets significantly reduce the risk of head injuries in crashes.
• Ride in the same direction as traffic and follow all the rules that apply to other slow-moving vehicles.
• Yield to pedestrians at intersections and in crosswalks.

This safety campaign is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.