POLICE in Huntington Beach will be employing saturation patrols to ensure bike safety at beach paths (Flickr/Nuno Ribeiro).

The Huntington Beach Police Department will be conducting a bicycle safety saturation operation on May 30 focused on enforcement along the beach bicycle and pedestrian path. While the HBPD maintains regular patrol and enforcement of violations along the city’s beach bike and pedestrian path, an increased number of officers will be deployed on May 30 in an attempt to saturate the area and spread awareness.

To ensure the ongoing safety of our community, Officers will be enforcing the following violations:

• Exceeding Speed Limit (Bike Path) HBMC 13.08.280 (C)

1. No Person shall operate any Wheeled Conveyance of any type on the Beach, Adjacent Beach Area, or Beach Service Road at a speed in excess of 10 miles per hour unless a greater speed is posted. The maximum speed limit when pedestrians are present shall be 5 miles per hour.
2. No Person shall operate any Wheeled Conveyance of any type on the Beach Service Road at a walking speed in excess of two and one-half miles per hour, between designated points, when the yellow lights are flashing.

• Bicycle Helmet Required (Under 18 Years of Age) CVC 21212(A)
• Riding a Bicycle on Wrong Side of Road CVC 21202(a)
• Stop Sign Violation CVC 22450
• Hand Signals Required CVC 22108
• Operating a Bicycle while Under the Influence “Cycling Under the Influence” [CUI] CVC 21200.5 (Misdemeanor)

The HBPD offers the following ways bicyclists can greatly reduce the risk of injury or being involved in a crash:

• Obey all traffic laws – use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet.
• Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections.
• Be alert when approaching pedestrians and other bicyclists from the rear. Announce your presence when possible.