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Moreno Valley, Calif. – The Moreno Valley Sheriff Station will conduct a bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement operation on May 20, 2021.

The Moreno Valley Sheriff Station recognizes the need to protect the public by looking for violations made by bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians that make roads unsafe.

These 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 violation. Deputies will also look for pedestrians who cross the street illegally or fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way. Bike riders will be stopped when riding on the wrong side of the road, not complying with stop signs and signals, or other violation of the same traffic laws that apply to them as drivers.

“Just because there’s less traffic doesn’t mean traffic rules go out the window,” Sergeant Joe Narciso said. “To protect you and your family, we want to make sure those that are out are following rules intended to keep them safe.”

The safety of bicyclists and pedestrians remains a top priority for the Moreno Valley Sheriff Station. So far this year, the Moreno Valley Sheriff Station has investigated 3 deadly and 13 injury collisions involving bicyclists and pedestrians.

To keep you and your family safe, the Moreno Valley Sheriff Station offers the following tips when out biking, driving or walking:

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

• Slow down. Give at least three to five feet of space when passing a bike.
• Wait for a safe place to pass when driving behind a bike, especially on narrow roads. California law requires drivers to provide at least three feet of space between a vehicle and bicycle.
• If making a right turn, assume a bicyclist is traveling through the intersection unless they signal otherwise.
• When making a left turn, yield to oncoming bicyclists just as you would for other drivers.
• Look for cyclists before opening a car door.
• Never drive distracted or impaired.

Bike Riders

• Be predictable, safe, and seen: obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet.
• Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.
• Avoid the door zone: do not ride too closely to parked cars.
• If there’s a bike lane, use it, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed.
• Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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