Tag Archives: Bicycle Safety

Eastvale: Bicycle Playground and Safety Clinic

City of Eastvale-Posted Date : 10/17/2014 1:45 PM

Bicycle Playground and SafteyEastvale residents are invited to join the Inland Empire Bicycle Alliance for a Bicycle Playground and Safety Clinic on October 25th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. during the Annual Eastvale 5K/10K and Healthy Eastvale Fair. This is the perfect opportunity for your child to get comfortable riding a bike and learn:

  • Proper intersection position and crossing
  • Riding on sidewalk and bike lanes (door zones)
  • Turn signals
  • Evening riding- reflector and light usage
  • Laws and how they apply to bicycling (for ages 9 and older) and more

Kids will enjoy Ramps, Teeter Todders, Whoopy Dos, Bicycle Jenga, Newspaper Toss, Ring Joust and Poop Pit as part of the Bicycle Playground! Participants must bring their own bike and bicycle helmet. Loaner bikes will be available (limited supply). Each participant will receive a FREE safety handout, bumper sticker, and Skills Clinic Diploma. RSVP is required. Register at: eastvalebicycleplaygroundsafetyclinic.eventbrite.com

 

The Status of Traffic Safety in Eastvale

BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL

 

Eastvale – This September a new bicycle safety law, “Three Feet For Safety”, passed requiring motorists to give cyclists a minimum breadth of three feet while on the road. With the large number of accidents in Eastvale over the past year involving vehicles, pedestrians, and often cyclists, the public has raised the question: How safe are the streets of Eastvale?

According to a report by Lt. Pemberton of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, there have been 12 reported “vehicle vs. pedestrian” accidents in Eastvale since January. Six of these accidents have involved minors on bicycles, two involved minors on skateboards and one involved a minor pedestrian. There have been three accidents involving adults on bicycles, one of them being the fatal accident involving Troy Davids.

Are these numbers simply a reflection of poor and unsafe drivers, or are they a reflection of poor enforcement? This was a question that has been raised by multiple citizens as well as the Eastvale Safety Commission. In response, a report was prepared offering an in-depth look into exactly what the Sheriff’s Department is doing to ensure the safety of its citizens.

According to this report, four of the six accidents involving minors were determined to be the fault of the minor. Lt. Pemberton reported that overall, in the City of Eastvale, 56% of vehicle vs. bicycle accidents were caused by the bicyclist.

In response to these numbers, the Eastvale Police Department began implementing several educational and enforcement programs. Two traffic officers and two dedicated traffic community service officers are employed with the express purpose of conducting special operations in traffic safety. These operations include everything from saturation patrols used to target problem areas where repetitive violations are occurring, to safety programs, to DUI checkpoints.

The Eastvale Police Department performed a total of 12 traffic saturations, which included speeding enforcement, distracted driver enforcement, and “Click It Or Ticket” seatbelt programs, issuing a total of 560 citations.

Two safety programs were also conducted at various intersections throughout the City, which resulted in a total of 50 citations. In addition, there was also a “Bicycle Helmet Enforcement Operation” conducted at Roosevelt High School, with over 40 citations issued.

The Eastvale Police Department also came up with an interesting way to educate the public about the true impact of alcohol by holding a “Watch Your BAC” event at Buffalo Wild Wings. This event was a great way for the public to not only meet and get to know our local officers, but it was also very informative in teaching people about the blood alcohol content in their systems, and how quickly they can become impaired.

In conclusion, positive steps are being taken to ensure the safety of everyone in this community. However, simple things like wearing a helmet, educating your children about how to cross a street and when it is safe to cross a street, go a long way. While drivers do need to remember to pay attention when they drive, pedestrians and bicyclists need to understand that they are responsible for their personal safety and should be defensive as well.

 

 

Eastvale: Three Feet For Safety Law Effective

STAFF REPORTS

 

Eastvale – Yesterday, on Sept. 16, the “Three Feet for Safety” law went into effect in California. This law requires all motorists to provide at least three feet of clearance between their vehicle and a bicyclist when passing the bicyclist traveling in the same direction. Existing law requires motorists to pass bicyclists while keeping a “safe distance.” The new law defines that “safe distance” as three feet. If there is not enough room available, the motorist must slow down and pass when no danger is present to the bicyclist.

According to the new law, violators will face a $35 fine, as well as a $220 fine if a collision occurs. The City of Eastvale is working with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department to provide gradual enforcement of the new law.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) of California has graciously donated 200 “I Give Three Feet” window clings and tip cards to the City of Eastvale in an effort to help promote the new law. Citizens may pick up a window cling and tip card at City Hall (located at 12363 Limonite Ave. Suite 910) between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, while supplies last. Window clings and tip cards will also be available at the October 25th Bicycle Skills and Safety Clinic during the annual Eastvale 5K/10K and Health Fair at Eleanor Roosevelt High School.

New Bicycle Safety Law

CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL

Sacramento – With children heading back to school, motorists should expect to see more children riding to and from school on

(photo courtesy: expatica.com)

(photo courtesy: expatica.com)

their bicycles. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) would like to remind the public that on Sept. 16, 2014, a new law affecting motorists and bicyclists takes effect. According to the law, a driver must allow three feet of distance when overtaking or passing a bicyclist. If three feet is not available, a driver must then slow to a safe speed and pass when no danger is present.

“Motorists are reminded to pay close attention as the school year approaches and exercise caution when they see bicyclists on the road,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “Be sure to move over or slow down to pass when you see a bicyclist on the road and help keep our roadways a safer place.”

According to data from the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, in 2012, there were 153 bicyclists killed in California, which reflects a 7 percent increase from 2011. Those deaths accounted for 5 percent of the total collision fatalities in California. “As important as it is for vehicles to be mindful of our bicyclists, those who ride must exercise safe practices and ride smart,” added Commissioner Farrow. “With both drivers and bicyclists doing their part, we can help reduce the number of tragedies involving bicyclists.”

The danger surrounding motor vehicle traffic is just one aspect of a child’s safe passage to and from school. According to Safekids.org, more children ages 5 to 14 are seen in emergency rooms for injuries related to bicycling than any other sport. Bicycle helmets, which are required by law for children under 18 years of age in California, can reduce the risk of severe brain injuries by 88 percent – yet only 45 percent of children 14 and under usually wear them.

The CHP joins with Safekids.org in offering the following traffic safety tips for bicyclists:

  • “Use your head, wear a helmet.” It is the single most effective safety device available to reduce head injuries and deaths from bicycle crashes.
  • Tell your children to ride on the right side of the road with traffic, not against it. Stay as far to the right as possible.
  • Use appropriate hand signals and obey traffic signals, stopping at all stop signs and stoplights. Teach your children to make eye contact with drivers. Bicyclists should make sure drivers are paying attention and are going to stop before they cross the street.
  • When riding at dusk, dawn, or in the evening, be bright and use lights – and make sure your bike has reflectors as well. It is also smart to wear clothes and accessories that have retro-reflective materials to improve bicyclist visibility to motorists.
  • Actively supervise children until you are comfortable that they are responsible to ride on their own.

 

The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security to the people of California.