Pasadena Police Plan Bike and Pedestrian Safety Crackdown

Police are planning to field extra officers in Pasadena on Friday in a crackdown on traffic violations that endanger bicyclists and pedestrians, officials said.

The extra enforcement campaign will focus on violations by drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians, Pasadena police said in a written statement.

“While the COVID-19 pandemic is requiring residents to stay home as much as possible, the Pasadena Police Department recognizes the need to protect the public by looking for violations made by bicyclists, drivers, and pedestrians that make roads unsafe,” the statement said.

Such violations include speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, failure to stop at stop signs, and other infractions, police said.

“Officers will also look for pedestrians who cross the street illegally or fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way,” according to the statement. “Bike riders will be stopped when riding on the wrong side of the road, not complying with stop signs and signals, or other violations of the same traffic laws that apply to them as drivers.”

“The Pasadena Police would really like drivers to be aware of our bicyclists and pedestrians,” said Lt. Max Dahlstein. “Although, it’s just as important that the bicyclists and pedestrians follow traffic laws as well. Safety is the main focus.”

The department has handled 51 injury collisions involving bicyclists and pedestrians so far this year, officials said.

A similar campaign earlier this month resulted in 119 citations, police said.

Funding for the operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.