National Bicycle Safety Month NA15093rh

WHAT:Awareness of Bicycle Safety in the San Fernando Valley

WHEN: Thursday, May 14, 2015 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

WHERE: Los Angeles Police Department Valley Traffic Division 7870 Nollan Place Panorama City CA, 91402

WHO: Los Angeles Police Department Valley Traffic Division Traffic Enforcement Officers

WHY: The Month of May is designated as National Bicycle Safety Month. The Los Angeles Police Department’s Valley Traffic Division would like to bring an awareness to bicycle safety in the San Fernando Valley. Last year in 2014, there were over 560 reported traffic collisions involving bicyclists including one fatality.

Bicyclists and drivers both make mistakes that can contribute to collisions, but when a collision does occur it is the cyclist who is likely to be injured or killed. Everyone should follow the rules of the road. Bicycles are considered vehicles and must obey all the same rules as cars. Cars need to share the road with bicyclists.

The officers of Valley Traffic Division will be patrolling the streets of the San Fernando Valley to enforce vehicle code violations that reinforce safe bicycling. Bicyclists and cars will be subject to enforcement. The goal is to bring awareness to both motorists and bicyclists to be safe and share the road.

Some safety tips for bicyclists:

Always ride in the same direction as traffic Do not ride out into the street suddenly from a driveway, alley or from between parked cars. Stop at all red lights and stop signs. Use proper lighting equipment at night. Do not ride impaired.

Some safety tips for motorists:

Do not turn in front of a bicyclist suddenly. Slow down when overtaking a bicycle and give sufficient clearance (min. 3ft). Do not drive in lanes designated for bicycles. Signal your intentions so others can anticipate what you are going to do. Pay attention to the road- do not text or talk on the cell phone while driving.

Do your part to make every street a safe place to ride a bicycle and promote safe driving habits. For more information on safe bicycling tips visit NHTSA.gov/Bicycles or Bicylela.org.

CONTACT: For more information, please contact Media Relations at (213) 485-3586 or Sergeant Stephen Egan at (818) 644-8146.