SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) has announced the date of the next Bike & Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operations, which will take place on Thursday, August 27 between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Two recent enforcement operations took place on Thursday, August 20 and Saturday, August 22.
Police officers will be looking out for, “primary collision factors involving motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists,” says the SMPD press release.
“Officers will be looking for violations engaged by drivers, bike riders and pedestrians alike that can lead to life changing injuries. Special attention will be directed towards violators speeding, making illegal turns, failing to stop for signs and signals, failing to yield to pedestrian in cross walks and similar hazardous behavior,” said Sergeant Rudy Camarena of the SMPD in a press release.
Officers will concentrate their attention to high-risk areas where accidents have been prevalent in the past.
The boost in the security measure has been implemented alongside the 6-week test run for the Santa Monica Breeze Ride Share Program, which kicked off on August 13.
Breeze Bike Share is an environment-friendly, healthy option to get around the city via reservations and rent-a-bike technology. In November, there will be 500, eight-speed bright green bikes available throughout the city at 75 convenient hubs.
According Smgov.net, “Santa Monica’s Bike share system is being made possible through more than $2 million in grant funds that the City was awarded through Metro’s Call for Projects and from the AQMD. The process included the participation and support of the City’s regional partners in the Westside Cities Council of Governments, Metro and others, and it is hoped that the system will act as a pilot program that will be extended throughout the Los Angeles area.”
The City Council of West Hollywood approved the implementation of Breeze Bike Share within city limits, which is currently in the works with the plans to launch in spring 2016.
The SMPD reminds all riders that it is the law to wear a helmet for those 18 and under, and the rules of the road are important for their safety.
