Protect Our Pedestrians. Protect Our Cyclists.
We use paths and roads where many people are biking, walking, and rolling. People outside of vehicles are depending on us to be the best drivers we can possibly be. Because when you’re the biggest and the fastest, you must also be the safest.
It is why we started the “Protect Our Pedestrians. Protect Our Cyclists” education campaign. The campaign calls on drivers to slow down, look out for people biking and walking – parents, friends, colleagues, students and providers – who use our paths and roads to go places.
Drivers
- Follow the speed limit.
- Slow down at intersections.
- Give pedestrians a brake at crosswalks and unmarked corners.
- Respect bicyclists and give them space when passing. As of Jan. 1, 2023, California law now requires drivers to change a lane, when possible, to pass bicyclists.
- If there is not enough room to pass a bicyclist, be patient and wait until it’s safe.
Pedestrians
- Be predictable. Use crosswalks when available.
- Be aware of approaching vehicles and practice due care.
- Be visible. Make it easier for drivers to see you – wear light colors, reflective material and carry a flashlight.
- Be extra careful crossing at night when it is harder to see or when crossing busier streets with more lanes and higher speed limits.
Bicyclists
- Use hand signals.
- Always use lights at night – at least 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.
- Use the bike lane, if available, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed.
- Stop for pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections.
Statistics
0
pedestrians killed on California roads in 2023.
0%
increase in pedestrian fatalities on California roads since 2014.
0%
increase in pedestrian fatalities between 2009 and 2023 while all other traffic fatalities increased 13%.
0%
of crashes that involve a vehicle striking a bicyclist are caused by vehicle right of way violation, improper turning or unsafe speed.
0%
of pedestrian fatalities with known lighting conditions happened after dark.
Resources
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- For safety tips on how to be a pedestrian: Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center
- For helpful tips to keep your children safe as a pedestrian: Safe Kids
- For additional safety tips, research and statistics on pedestrians: NHTSA
- Learn how to get your child to school safely: Safe routes to school
- Learn how to take action to create safe roads: Slow Roads Save Lives