The Placer County Sheriff’s Office has received complaints about bicyclists that are failing to obey traffic rules and thereby creating hazards for themselves and motorists. The most common areas we receive cycling complaints are Taylor Road at the Penryn Road, English Colony, and King Road crossings and in Granite Bay at the Douglas Road crossing. The most common complaint has been a failure to yield at these intersections.
While it is understandable that cyclists are reluctant to stop their momentum or start on a hill, they are required to follow the same rules of the road as motorists. Likewise, bicyclists have the same right to be on the road as motorists.
With the increase in surrounding populations and the apparent increase in the sport of road cycling, it is more important than ever that both groups have a heightened awareness of the others and to respect the rules of the road.
It’s hard to argue that bicycling isn’t a great form of recreation and fitness, but it’s also important to get home safely. As such, our primary concern at the Sheriff’s Office is to avoid a tragic accident. To that end, we are planning enforcement campaigns to remind bicyclists and motorists that we need to share the roadways and to stay safe.
We’re asking bicyclists to obey the rules of the road and for motorists to have patience with the cycling public. Some common courtesy from both groups might save a life.
Tips for road cyclists to stay safe include:
Ride single file along the side of the road.
Ride in the direction of traffic, not against it (that’s for pedestrians.)
Stop at intersections, especially four-way stops.
Assume the motoring public doesn’t see you; they’re looking for other cars.
Watch for vehicles pulling out from driveways or intersections.
Motorists assume you will obey stop signs and red lights, you should.
Remember that motorists are surrounded by 2,000 pounds of steel and plastic, you have padded shorts.