Azusa Police To Hold A Bicycle Safety Detail on September 10

On Saturday, September 10, 2016, the Azusa Police Department will be conducting a bicycle safety detail in the northern portion of the city, between 6 am and 1 pm. 

We frequently receive reports of cyclists failing to stop at stop signs and traffic signals, or "taking up the entire roadway." Bicyclists are required to stop at stop signs and traffic signals per the vehicle code. As for occupying a lane of traffic, cyclists may do so depending on several factors. Although the law specifies a rider will ride his bicycle as close as practicable to the right edge of the roadway, people frequently forget that the cyclist determines the "practicalness," and whether or not the cyclist is riding along side another cyclist. There is no law as to how many cyclists may ride next to each other, within a lane.

Give Em' 3 Feet
Please remember the "3 Feet For Safety" law which specifies that a driver of a motor vehicle must not overtake or pass a bicyclist proceeding in the same direction on a highway at a distance of less than 3 feet between the motor vehicle and any part of the bicycle or its operator. Click here to read more about 21760(a) VC. In addition to this, we worked with the cycling community to create an article on our website which educates both motorists and cyclists about this law, as well as other common misconceptions about cyclists use of the roadway. You can view this article at AzusaPD.org/Bike.

Please keep in mind that cyclists who are in a marked bicycle lane may use the entire lane.

Cyclists Are Required to Stop
Frequently, large packs of cyclists use Sierra Madre Avenue, Todd Avenue and Foothill Boulevard to traverse through our city. We receive complaints from motorists and residents regarding these packs of cyclists not stopping at stop signs or traffic signals. Per vehicle code sections 22450 and 21453, cyclists and motorists are required to come to a complete stop, and proceed only when lawful and safe to do so.

Our Goal is ZERO Tickets

We DO NOT WANT TO WRITE TICKETS. Our purpose of this enforcement is to notify the community of our extra presence for Saturday, as well as educate the community on this topic. We will make our presence well known by being highly visible.
However, in the event we witness violations committed directly in our presence, we will have no other option than to take enforcement action. 

Why Are We Letting The Secret Out?

Again, our intention is not to write citations, but rather create understanding and gain voluntary compliance by both motorists and cyclists alike. We encourage people to spread the word about our detail, which in essence, will make the roadways safer.

What About The Following Saturdays

Until we feel the problems are resolved, our officers will be continually focusing on this issue, and re-assessing our plan of action.

Funding for this detail has been made possible through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Have Information?

If you have any information regarding this case or subjects involved in this case, please call the Azusa Police Department at (626) 812-3200. If you wish to remain anonymous, you may do so by clicking here.