05/15/2025
May is National Bicycle Safety Month
The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) is encouraging everyone to be alert to keep bicyclists safe. With the arrival of warmer weather, more people are biking for commuting, exercise or recreation, making it essential for all people to look out for one another and save lives.
“Bicycling is a great means of transportation and recreation, and everyone deserves to ride to their destination safely,” Project Specialist Michelle Daggett said. “Whether you are behind the wheel or on two wheels, we all share the responsibility to move safely on our roads .”
7 local middle schools, in partnership with Club Live, will be conducting bike safety activities including showing student created Public Service announcements and distributing bike lights, reflectors and glow in the dark bracelets.
SCOE suggests the following safety tips for bicyclists and drivers:
Drivers
- Slow down and follow the speed limit. Be careful traveling through intersections.
- Look carefully for bicyclists and pedestrians before making a turn or opening a car door near streets or bike paths.
- Be patient when traveling behind a bicyclist and give them space when passing. California law requires drivers to change a lane, when possible, to pass bicyclists and always pass with at least 3 feet of space.
- Never drive distracted or impaired.
Bike Riders
- Use lights at night.
- Although not required for riders 18 and older, always wear a properly secured helmet. Helmets significantly reduce the chance of a head injury in the event of a crash.
- Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.
- Yield to pedestrians, just as a driver would. Pedestrians have the right-of-way within marked or 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.
Learn more at https://www.scoe.net/media/library/2025/05/15bike_safety_release/