Moreno Valley, Calif. — May is National Bicycle Safety Month, and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging everyone to get active and safely take bike rides while at the same time reminding drivers to be on the lookout for more people biking and walking.
Deputy Jason Slover emphasized the importance of safety, stating, “Everyone deserves to reach their destination safely.”
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveal alarming numbers of bicycle-related fatalities and injuries in recent years. In 2022, 1,105 people were killed while riding a bike, with an estimated 46,195 bicyclists injured. The previous year saw 976 bicyclists killed and an estimated 41,615 injured.
In response to these concerning statistics, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office will conduct a traffic safety operation throughout the month to address driver behaviors that endanger bicyclists and pedestrians. This operation will focus on issues like speeding, making illegal turns, failure to yield right of way, and running stop signs or red lights.
To promote road safety, the Sheriff’s Office has provided safety tips for both drivers and bicyclists. Drivers are reminded to be vigilant and slow down when encountering bicyclists, who lack the protective measures of a vehicle. Bicyclists, on the other hand, are advised to wear helmets, use lights and reflectors, obey traffic rules, and ride in the same direction as traffic flow.
The program supporting these efforts is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, with contributions from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
For further information or media inquiries about this initiative, individuals are encouraged to contact the Media Information Bureau. Those interested in pursuing a career with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office can apply at joinrso.org or call 1-888-Join-RSD.
