PALMDALE – Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies will be on the lookout in Lancaster this Friday for violations made by bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians that make roads unsafe.
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation will be conducted from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, according to a news release from the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station.
Violations include drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, failing to stop for signs and signals, or any other traffic violations by bike riders or pedestrians, sheriff’s officials said.
“Drivers, slow down and allow bicyclists and pedestrians the same access to roads,” Sergeant Robert Hill said. “To protect you and your family, we want to make sure everyone is following rules that keep them safe.”
In 2020, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigated 42 deadly and 750 injury collisions involving bicyclists and pedestrians. The Department offers the following tips to residents:
PEDESTRIANS
- Only cross at marked crosswalks or intersections with a stop sign or signal.
- Look for cars backing up. Avoid going between parked cars.
- Make eye contact with drivers. Don’t assume they see you.
- Wear bright clothing during the day and use a flashlight when walking at night.
DRIVERS
- Wait for pedestrians to cross the street. Be courteous and patient.
- Stay off the phone.
- Follow the speed limit.
- Look for pedestrians when backing up or turning.
BICYCLISTS
- Always wear a helmet. Helmets are required by law for anyone under 18.
- Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.
Funding for the bicycle and pedestrian safety operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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Antelope Valley Safe Streets says
These clowns tried to make cycling safer, but ended up with useless bike lane designs.
There needs to be a median with grass between the bike path and the car lanes (of which there should be one in each direction)
Look up “Bicycle Dutch bike paths” if you need a visual.
One car lane in each direction can carry the traffic if you replace the ɔrappy timed traffic lights with sensors, or with roundabouts. Roundabouts mean drunks can’t run red lights and kill people.
Trees should be in medians, but not within 200 feet of intersections because they create blind spots.
The speed limit should be 30mph citywide for survivability when a collision does occur, and raised intersections, raised crosswalks, and chicanes should be used on every major road for that purpose.
William says
Hmm.
Wrecks made a point of moving the Chevy dealership from Palmdale Auto Mall to Lancaster in 2009 or so while pushing bikes lanes.
Make up yer mind, Wrecks.
BTW. I would never by a Chevy from the Lancaster dealership after that sleazy deal.
John Thomas says
With the crazy bike lanes added by Wrecks there’s no wonder why there haven’t been more accidents. They are poorly designed. Besides, how many people use bikes to travel around a 100 square mile city in blazing heat and cold wind? Bikes work in Seattle, Amsterdam, Berkley, SF, Portland, etc. Cities that are more compact. This is another whacked idea from America’s whackiest mayor.
Patty says
I appreciate the bike lanes, and use them daily! When not occupied by hot rod Challengers, Mustangs, etc
Bike says
It’s too bad they are not real bike lanes but rather attempt to slow traffic. I’ve ridden in communities with real bike lanes.