Report Prepared by: Lieutenant Kalvin Haygood, Merced Police Department
Title
SUBJECT: Report Regarding Bicycle Safety Awareness and Current Community Concerns
REPORT IN BRIEF
Staff will provide a presentation to the Public Safety Subcommittee regarding bicycle safety awareness and current bicycle-related concerns within the City of Merced. The presentation will include an overview of recent trends and incidents, community concerns, bicycle safety education efforts, enforcement activities, and recommendations intended to promote safer interactions between bicyclists, motorists, and pedestrians.
The presentation will also include a discussion regarding potential updates to the Merced Municipal Code to provide additional or enhanced enforcement options for bicycle-related violations and unsafe riding behaviors.
RECOMMENDATION
Public Safety Subcommittee: Discuss and provide direction regarding potential amendments to the Merced Municipal Code that would provide additional enforcement options related to unsafe bicycle operation and other bicycle-related violations.
Body
DISCUSSION
The Merced Police Department continues to receive community concerns regarding bicycle safety and the manner in which bicycles are operated on public roadways, sidewalks, and other areas throughout the City. These concerns include unsafe interactions between bicyclists, motorists, and pedestrians, as well as bicycle-related activity that may create traffic hazards or negatively affect pedestrian safety.
Bicycles remain an important form of transportation and recreation within the community. As bicycle use continues throughout the City, maintaining a balance between accessibility, education, voluntary compliance, and appropriate enforcement is important to promoting public safety.
The Police Department has continued efforts to educate the public regarding bicycle safety and applicable traffic laws. Officers also conduct enforcement when unsafe riding behavior or violations are observ...
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