The Antelope Valley Times

Your community. Your issues. Your news.

CHP operation enforces bicycle, pedestrian safety

by •

An elderly female rider was pulled over and warned for cruising through a stop sign near Joe Walker Middle School on 57th Street West and Avenue L-8.
An elderly female rider was pulled over and warned for cruising through a stop sign near Joe Walker Middle School on 57th Street West and Avenue L-8.

QUARTZ HILL – Local California Highway Patrol officers were in Quartz Hill this morning cracking down on law breaking bicyclists and pedestrians.

“For pedestrians, we’re making sure they’re crossing where they’re supposed to be crossing; and for bicyclists, we’re making sure they’re riding on the right side of the road, obeying the stop signs, obeying the red lights, and not riding directly in front of the vehicles,” Hernandez said. “Safety is everybody’s responsibility.”

The enforcement operation was aimed at promoting education and awareness in order to reduce the number of pedestrians and bicyclists killed and injured in collisions, according to Hernandez.

The majority of violators were given warnings and traffic safety brochures rather than citations.
The majority of violators were given warnings and traffic safety brochures rather than citations.

With education as the main goal, the majority of violators were given warnings and traffic safety brochures rather than citations.

In less than 45 minutes Friday morning, Hernandez alone had issued four warnings for various violations, including jaywalking, running stop signs, and parking against the flow of traffic.

Friday afternoon, the CHP’s pedestrian and bicycle education and enforcement operation targeted lawbreakers in the unincorporated area near east Palmdale, according to Hernandez.

“Places where we’ve had crashes or complaints from the community regarding pedestrians and bicyclists disobeying the rules of the road,” he said.

The operation ended with 50 law enforcement contacts and two citations issued to drivers who ran stop signs, Hernandez said.

Law breakers warned

CHP Officer K.D. Wheeler stopped a bicyclist for riding on a sidewalk on 50th Street West near Columbia Way. The rider was given a warning and a bicycle safety brochure. “He needs to be riding in the bicycle lane,” Hernandez said.
CHP Officer K.D. Wheeler stopped a bicyclist for riding on a sidewalk on 50th Street West near Columbia Way. The rider was given a warning and a bicycle safety brochure. “He needs to be riding in the bicycle lane,” Hernandez said.
A service truck driver was warned for parking against the flow of traffic on 50th Street West near Avenue L-8. “Parking on the wrong side of the road can actually be a dangerous situation for a pedestrian or for a bicyclist, because they’re not expecting this vehicle to pull out coming in their direction,” Hernandez said.
A service truck driver was warned for parking against the flow of traffic on 50th Street West near Avenue L-8. “Parking on the wrong side of the road can actually be a dangerous situation for a pedestrian or for a bicyclist, because they’re not expecting this vehicle to pull out coming in their direction,” Hernandez said.
A female driver was pulled over for rolling through a stop sign near George Lane Park on 55th Street West and Avenue L-8. She told CHP Officer Gil Hernandez she had a lot on her mind. “I understand, but right now you need to focus on what you’re doing, which is driving,” Hernandez told the woman, before letting her off with a warning. “Is it against the law? Yes. But our goal is educate,” Hernandez said.
A female driver was pulled over for rolling through a stop sign near George Lane Park on 55th Street West and Avenue L-8. She told CHP Officer Gil Hernandez she had a lot on her mind. “I understand, but right now you need to focus on what you’re doing, which is driving,” Hernandez told the woman, before letting her off with a warning. “Is it against the law? Yes. But our goal is educate,” Hernandez said.
Two pedestrians were warned near 50th Street West and Avenue M-8. “They’re jaywalking with the traffic signal 50 feet away from them,” Hernandez said. “They think that we’re just messing with them, but ultimately our goal is to keep them safe,” Hernandez added.
Two pedestrians were warned near 50th Street West and Avenue M-8. “They’re jaywalking with the traffic signal 50 feet away from them,” Hernandez said. “They think that we’re just messing with them, but ultimately our goal is to keep them safe,” Hernandez added.

Find bicycle riding safety tips at http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/bicycleriding.html.

20 comments for "CHP operation enforces bicycle, pedestrian safety"

  1. Quote what Hernandez said.
    A service truck driver was warned for parking against the flow of traffic on 50th Street West near Avenue L-8. “Parking on the wrong side of the road can actually be a dangerous situation for a pedestrian or for a bicyclist, because they’re not expecting this vehicle to pull out coming in their direction…… what a load of bollocks….. vehicles park against traffic all over the world without incident…. What makes it safe everywhere else in the world is that as growing up from a small child we are taught to look both ways before crossing the road.

    • The only way to park against traffic is to drive the wrong way into traffic, and that is very dangerous.

      • Doh You wait until it’s all clear of on coming traffic before you proceed. There’s no difference to turning left and crossing traffic you look before you proceed.

  2. Maybe it’s time for bicyclists and pedestrians to have to take tests at the DMV just like motorists have to.

    They are, after all, using the streets just like cars do.

    I’m only half-joking. I’m not sure if bicyclists have to have licenses but if they do, they should have to take written tests and pass them.

    • They should have some form of training, Riding on the sidewalk on the wrong side of the road then making a right hand turn, You are asking for trouble. A lot of bike riders just assume a car will stop, Bike rides need to be just as aware as someone does in a car, Don’t assume someone will stop or not turn in front of you. Just as in a car you always watch the guy turning left crossing into your path, you may have the right away going straight but that guy turning left may not care or paying attention. Bike riders are smaller and sometimes harder to see.

  3. The Sheriff really needs to sit at 30th St. West and Rancho Vista Blvd. Those kids that come from the skate park are constantly skating into traffic. Also, cars that are turning right from Rancho Vista Blvd onto 30th St. West hardly ever make a complete stop before they turn. There are a ton of accidents from the jerks making lefts out of Vons. This little area is dangerous.

    Where did all the courteous drivers go? AV drivers obviously do not know the meaning of yield. The schools need to put driver’s training back into their curriculum.

  4. They need to change the law it was many years ago. bicyclists should be pedestrian. The would be much safer and be able to use the sidewalk and ride again traffic and be aboul to see traffic coming their way.

  5. I would like to see any statistics that show that riding in a bicycle lane is safer than riding on a sidewalk.

    There used to be a bicycle lane along avenue K between Sierra highway and 10th st West and several bicyclists were killed on it and that was before the days of texting. Now there is just a sidewalk and no one has been killed on it.

    • I too would like to see bicycle lane statistics.

      Since I was a little boy I have avoided riding a bicycle on streets with too many cars. Today as an adult, if I am driving a car, I avoid streets with bicycle riders. They’re too unpredictable. Bicycle riders scare me. They should not “share the road”. They should have their own roads and/or heavily protected lanes; I’ll happily stay off them.

  6. Because riding your bike on the street with cars going 50+mph is much safer than a sidewalk with no one else on it.

    • I’m a cyclist and a runner in west Palmdale. This issue shouldn’t be thought of as cyclists vs. pedestrians vs. cars. We are all people, and we need to work together to be safe and prevent accidents.

      Pedestrians have the right of way on the sidewalks, not bicycles. Bicycles should be on the road only, and cyclists should be wearing a helmet at all times and have a bright taillight to help drivers see you. If you aren’t comfortable riding on the road with cars, then you shouldn’t be riding. Vehicle drivers need to be responsible, and look out for cyclists and pedestrians at all times. Cyclists and pedestrians also need to be responsible, follow traffic signs and signals and look out for vehicles.

      Most roads are not safe to bike on during rush hour, but early in the morning on the weekends there are no cars. Pick the less busy roads and good times to ride. Everybody needs to learn defensive driving, riding, and walking.

  7. Now they need to set up operations for the idiots running red lights. Ever since the red light cameras have been deemed illegal, you have to really watch yourself at a red light. Wait 10 seconds for all the idiots running the light to make their illegal turn and for the idiots flying through a red light doing 60 or 70. I’ve been around the world and this state is getting to be like driving in a third world country.

    • What’s weird is when I see in films or videos how they drive in places like China, with what seems like no lanes, no rules. Scooters, bicycles, cars, trucks, rickshaws(?) apparently more easily than we do on American roads.

      I swear, the day of the thunderstorm and again today when it was hot, people simply lose it and drive like they’re in a movie called ‘Fast and Stupid’.

      Do warm temperatures and rain affect the brain somehow? They should turn up the heat at the DMV while people are taking their driver’s license tests to see how they function under those conditions. That would be fun.

  8. Rather then going after criminals, they just wasting time with this none sence! Give me a break!

    • It’s not really nonsense. I’m tired of ignorant people just walking out in front of me and and then make it worse when they take their time. Hopefully they do this on the east side of Palmdale because it’s really bad there.

    • Absolutely, it is not nonsense. I see lots of jay-walkers crossing big streets like avenue S near 25th East or vise-versa. Even saw a guy run a yellow to red light to catch a bus once. He came very close to getting hit but a car turning left legally. The guy caught the bus and unfortunately, this will make him think he can do it again and that’s not good. But, let me tell you what really scares me. It’s these kids in these fixed gear bikes. They are like 14 to 16 years old and they think they are invincible. They ride against traffic, thru traffic. in traffic, thru red lights, zigzag in and out and it is stupid dangerous riding. These kids and their bikes don’t weight much at all and stand no chance against a half-ton or heavier car. They have to be stopped. I have seen it too often. This work is not a waste time. The criminals will caught in the mean time, an effort must be taken to show jay-walkers, these idiot bike riders they are wrong. I would hate to hit one of these kids but with the way they ride, it may be unavoidable.

    • Highway Patrol
      MISSION STATEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS

      The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of safety, service, and security to the people of California. This is accomplished through five departmental goals:

      Prevent Loss of Life, Injuries, and Property Damage – To minimize the loss of life, personal injury, and property damage resulting from traffic collisions through enforcement, education, and engineering. To enforce the provisions of the California Vehicle Code and other laws to prevent crime.

      Maximize Service to the Public and Assistance to Allied Agencies – To maximize service to the public in need of aid or information, and to assist other public agencies when appropriate.

      Manage Traffic and Emergency Incidents – To promote the safe and efficient movement of people and goods throughout California, and to minimize exposure of the public to unsafe conditions resulting from emergency incidents and highway impediments.

      Protect Public and State Assets – To protect the public, their property, state employees, and the state’s infrastructure. To collaborate with local, state, and federal public safety agencies to protect California.

      Improve Departmental Efficiency – To continuously look for ways to increase the efficiency and/or effectiveness of departmental operations.

      Basically if it is road related, they are on it. Anything else, not so much unless it involves the road, like a high speed chase, amber alert, etc.

      • That’s the sheriff’s job to hunt down the criminals, the highway patrol is just as you stated. You are correct “MeaningOfTitles” and “Taxpayer!” you are an idiot, learn what departments do what for our state.

    • Criminal (noun) a person guilty or convicted of a crime.

      Sounds like they ARE going after criminals. They might not be the type of criminals you deem worthy of prosecuting or even giving a warning, but anyone who breaks the law is a criminal by definition.

    • It is not nonsense when a teenage girl deliberately walks out into traffic playing “chicken” with 4000lb automobiles while crossing 50 yds away from a crosswalk because it’s “too inconvenient” and then flips off the drivers who get too close.

      Yeah, it happened to me…she’s damn lucky I was able to stop in time and I’m damn lucky I didn’t get rear ended by other drivers.

      On second thought, maybe my brakes should have “malfunctioned”…