Concord Police Department is conducting a bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement operation aimed at educating bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians on traffic laws, rules and responsibilities.
Officers will be looking for violations made by bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians that put roadway users at risk.
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 dangerous violation.
Officers will also look for pedestrians who cross the street illegally or fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way.
Bicyclists 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.
Bicycle and pedestrian fatalities are rising at an alarming rate. In 2016, 138 bicyclists and 867 pedestrians were killed on California roads. Pedestrian fatalities are up nearly 33 percent from 2012, and the number of bicyclists killed are up nearly 25 percent over the past five years. In 2018, Concord Police Department has investigated 4 fatal and 95 injury collisions involving bicyclists and pedestrians.
“Whether you are on foot, behind the wheel or on a bike, you play a part in roadway safety,” Sgt. Robert Garcia said. “Understanding the rules of the road using all modes of transportation helps ensure we all get to our destination safely.”
People walking should only cross the street using crosswalks or intersections, preferably with a stop sign or signal.
People on foot should also look for cars backing up and avoid darting between parked cars, make eye contact with drivers and wear bright clothing during the day and reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.
Drivers should wait for pedestrians to cross the street, avoid distractions like using a cell phone, and be courteous and patient. All bike riders are reminded to always wear a helmet; helmets are required by law for those under 18.
Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow moving vehicle.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In other words,they are revenuing.Its all for $$$$ As if they actually care about the people that pay good money to live in Concord.They have proved they don’t.
My family and I drive, but we also walk a lot. I complained about safety near the BART station years ago and the PD set up a sting. They nailed a bunch of sphincters for ignoring people in the crosswalks; for speeding; failure to signal; etc. It’s a good thing to make idiots who drive badly pay for their crimes. I’m keeping my eye out for the likes of you – a scofflaw who has no regard for the well-being of others.
Typically, a crappy driver is a crappy rider is a crappy walker. Slef-centered people suck regardless of what they are doing.
self
Those that disagree with enforcing laws are usually the same ones that don’t abide by and respect the laws.
No the police get a grant that provides money to pay for additional officers to do specific details… the rest of the city is then staffed with its normal amount of officers…. which really isn’t that many when you consider the size of Concord
that picture happens 10 times a day there and they don’t care about vehicles coming they force cars to slow and stop …creating potential accidents …
yet sanctuary for bums is superior to traffi safety
Sure, just like drivers stopping at stop signs and red lights causes accidents.
Oops put the above reply in the wrong place. You are right. The idiots in the picture do create a hazard
The money being spent on these enforcement operations should actually go toward protected bike lanes and ped/bike bridges/over-crossings.
The picture above happens 100’s of times a day on Clayton Road. It also happens on Main Street and Center Street in the City of Clayton. People don’t use crosswalks and don’t look or care when they are crossing in the middle of the road.
See so many of these violations made by bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians on a daily bases. Don’t know if this Safety Operation is really going to make a difference unless it’s enforced on a weekly bases.
As a “mature” bicycle rider, who rides on an adult tricycle, I’m AFRAID to travel in the same direction as traffic!! When you can’t see what’s going on around you you’re at much greater risk for becoming a hood ornament. I much prefer to ride ON the sidewalk FACING oncoming traffic! At least then I can make eye-contact with drivers and stay a little further out of the way of unobservant drivers!
Then it must be OK for you to be the one who breaks the law and puts others at risk. Just explain that to the cop who stops you during the safety operation. Maybe they have a senior discount for mature lawbreakers.
I don’t know how many times I’ve seen casual bikers riding the wrong way in a designated one-way bicycle lane. That’s the same as driving the wrong way on a one-way street or highway. On one-way or divided streets you can see down the road to see oncoming traffic including cyclists. But you cannot often see due to blind corners anyone coming the wrong way (bike or car).
My point is that bicyclists should not be held to the same standard as motorized vehicles.
As long as you are on the sidewalk – ok.
It’s when people ride facing traffic while on the roadway that’s the problem
You shouldn’t be riding a bike if you can’t follow the rules. You shouldn’t be driving a car if you can’t follow the rules. You shouldn’t be walking if you can’t follow the rules. That is why we have accidents, traffic, road-rage. People just do what they want without regards to others.
I am a cyclist and I ride a recumbent trike.
I would highly recommend you get mirrors for your bike. I have two side view mirrors so I am aware of traffic, not just cars but pedestrians and other cyclists.
When you ride against traffic you also put me in danger because I now need to move around you and into traffic.
Travel with the flow. Stay visible (I wear bright colors and my trike has a flag). Follow the rules of the road. It’s going to be okay.
@ Mimi
I hear You, and just 3 months ago I bought an adult tricycle. But a few spots on Willow Pass Rd., do not provide safe riding in the correct direction,….so I am still looking for a route(s), also bit out of the way to be safe for myself and others. Hope you are also wearing a helmet, and can find some safer routes.
Mimi,
You can’t legally ride on the sidewalk and you can’t legally ride against traffic, even if you prefer it.
I understand your discomfort, but what you are doing is dangerous to pedestrians who are using the sidewalk as it was intended. Your actions are part of the problem.
How do you think pedestrians feel when they see a tricycle taking up the entire sidewalk? They are at risk from you.
@ The Professor
Bicycles MAY ride on the sidewalk on
Ygnacio Valley Rd. & Treat Blvd. in
Walnut Creek. Years ago bike riders
MUST ride on the sidewalk, but bike
riding clubs challenged the city for their
right to ride next to gravel trucks. They
got the signs changed to MAY ride on
the sidewalk.
@Shoulda Coulda
I hope that you read this.
I knew the second that I hit submit that I Shoulda included “unless otherwise posted” to my first sentence. I knew some hair-splitting dip would point that out. Thank you for correcting me.
But it still does not change the fact that you can’t ride the wrong way. Mimi needs to stay off the sidewalk and ride with the traffic.
“Officers will be looking for violations made by bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians that put roadway users at risk.”
So, how is today different than any other day? Are they saying that the police only look for these occurrences on designated “safety” days and ignore them the other 99% of the time?
Pogue,
My thoughts exactly! Shouldn’t all of these listed infractions be enforced regardless of the day or the perpetrator? Are they only bad when the city decides? Breaking the law is breaking the law.
You guys are killing me. It basically means rather than the usual “look for anything illegal,” they are specifically focusing on these items so they can “educate” the people doing these things.
Yes, I’m sure many days they wouldn’t care to cite someone for jaywalking, but this is just to spread more awareness.
“Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow moving vehicle.”
When do you ever see a slow moving vehicle? People are always in a rush around here. And this is a joke because just last month I had a sheriff not yield to me while I was in a crosswalk along with the truck in front of him.
Speaking of Sheriff vehicles. Just this afternoon, one waved me along to cross the street and then followed me and made a very dangerous pass on a blind curve. I yelled at him and his response “It was safe”.. Yeah, safe for your fat ass in the car surrounded by a ton of metal. Not for me practically naked out here. Very disappointing. These guys have no understanding how to help make it safe for cyclists. They are all cagers at heart.
Last month was not a safety day.
Funny this topic just came up. This morning I was driving past the WC Berean Christian school and a teen on foot stepped out to cross in the middle of the block. I was already pretty close as he made eye contact, and crossed in front of me anyway. He had that “Screw you I know you won’t hit me” expression as he walked at a lazy pace. Even at 25 MPH I had to brake briskly to avoid hitting him. I didn’t honk, yell, or gesture. He probably won’t live long so why not let him enjoy his brief victory. I feel sorry for whoever hits and kills him because it won’t be their fault.
Fearless, I walk every morning on Concord b. and the worst intersection I deal with is Concord B. and Landana. I could have the right of way with the little man telling me I could walk. I ALWAYS make eye contact with people before crossing. You would be surprised how many just try and quickly make that right onto Landana even with me watching them. They give me a wave as if saying “Oh sorry, thanks for letting me almost run you over.” Or even worst are the people coming and going out of the Dana Shopping Center. I could probably stand there a good 3-4 minutes before anyone will let me cross on the sidewalk in front of that shopping center. And I always wave a thank you to people. I’m not in a rush, but come on! Could some of you just show a little common courtesy?
Some of the worst offenders are the ones on bicycles. I rarely and I mean rarely see them stop at stop signs or see the police ticket them.
And cars actually stop? Not that I ever see. Drivers think they have “stopped” when the car is slowed down. Stopped actually means your wheels are, well, stopped. Very rare indeed. And never at all on the right turn at a light.
How many times have you seen a rider on a motorcycle stop and put a foot down at a stop sign? Someone about being on two wheels?
The “California Roll” is still alive and well.
I think everyone is at fault here. I will say that I do see a large number of bicyclists that do not follow the rules of the road, yet expect everyone else to cater to them. Could be that there will always be more vehicles than bikes on the road so I notice it more, but still.
Unfortunately there is no cure for the 20% of people who are just plan stupid and/or don’t care. No amount of enforcement or education will help that group. Keep trying but that’s why the police have “frequent flyers”.
I’d wager more drivers will be cited. Many think the roads are theirs, and theirs alone. In a confrontation, who would lose. Give bikes their 3ft space.
While I do agree, I have seen countless bikers not obeying common rules in place. My least favorite is a group riding in the bike lane, but deciding to just have a few people in the road. Move it over and go single file or doubles. It goes both ways.
Thanks, Concord PD. This is what we’ve been asking for!
Can anyone from the City Council explain why our police officers only seem to enforce these laws on special occasions? Jay-walking across Treat, Monument, Willow Pass and Clayton Road happens all the time. It is very dangerous for driver and pedestrian as well as being against the law.
Why not have zero-tolerance for violating these laws, as well as texting while driving.
Lack of Resources- The following is for vehicle traffic only.
120,000 vehicles on 3 streets alone (Monument, Willow Pass, Treat)
1% of drivers ticketed =1,200 tickets
1 officers on each of the 3 streets= 400 tickets a day per street
1 officer = 133 tickets a day
10 officers=13 tickets a day
Simply not enough traffic officers to cover the remaining streets around Concord.
If we would use traffic cameras to ticket speeders and red light violations on those same streets maybe a computer could keep up.
So, my question is this:
If a bicycle rider is capable of riding 30-40 mph then they should be required to have a license of some sort as well as liability insurance on the bike. I know people who have been run over by bicyclists and no repercussions has happened.
I believe a motorcycle rider has to have a special license obtained only after some sort of training and test. The same should apply to those on bicycles that want to “share the road”.