Santa Monica PD Looking For Unsafe Cyclists, Motorists This Week

SANTA MONICA, CA — Santa Monica may be one of the most traffic-calmed cities in the Southland, but that hasn't stopped bicyclists from getting in the crashes and police are planning a special enforcement period to crack down on unsafe behaviors.

There have been more than 875 injuries or fatal crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists in the city in the past four years despite the addition of new bike lanes and safety signage.

Starting Monday, police will be looking at several locations where pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers frequently smack into each other, Santa Monica police Lt. Saul Gonzalez said.

Police will be conducting enforcement operations from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, in an effort to lower deaths and injuries, he said.

Bikers, walkers and motorists are equal opportunity offenders, Rodriguez said.

"California has the 'Move Over Law’ to share the road requiring motorists to pass bike riders with at least a 3-foot cushion," he said.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is funding the concentrated enforcement, through the California Office of Traffic Safety.

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