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SLO police cite 35 during bicycle and pedestrian safety operation

May 7, 2025

By JOSH FRIEDMAN

The San Luis Obispo Police Department issued 35 citations to drivers and bicyclists for a variety of violations during a bicycle and pedestrian safety operation on Monday.

Police officers conducted the operation citywide from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Officers contacted a total of 54 drivers and bicyclists during the operation.

They issued citations for violations including running a stop sign, unsafe speed, texting, cell phone use, yielding the right of way, crossing a double yellow line, driving in a designated bike lane, impeding a roadway, wrong way riding and gridlock.

“Safety is a shared responsibility, with drivers holding the greatest responsibility to keep other road users safe,” Sgt. Stradley said in a statement. “We hope this operation serves as a reminder to everyone to practice due care and to look out for one another.”

The police department received funding for the program from a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

 


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I don’t understand why they need a grant for this. Don’t the ticket revenues pay for the officer time?


1

So, they cited 34 drivers, and one bicycle. Right?


Before you say it, honestly think about how many bicycles you encounter daily in SLO. Are they all using the multi-million dollar green paint wisely? If SLO has so many tens of thousand of bicycle riders, that so much green paint was used, so many streets reduced to tiny cart paths for cars, heavy traffic areas that used to be 3 lanes, is now two (because somehow heavy traffic works better when 3 becomes 2), and complicated bicycle lanes with new curbs and myriad other obstacles that conceal riders until the very last moment before disaster, you need to ask yourself if you really see that many bicycles to justify the expense, and bother?


All I see, and many people I speak to daily concur, is bicycles doing exactly the same dangerous and illegal riding they did, before millions of dollars were wasted on green paint and promises.


42

LOL…Gurnee’s new best friend…please let us know whatever else the many people you speak to daily think we should do in our city


-21

If I am wrong, why was SLOPD doing a “bicycle and pedestrian” safety operation? If SLO streets are now the epitome of bicycle safety , well being, and two wheeled control because of green paint and fancy hidden bike paths, why is there any need for this safety check?


Is all NOT safe with bicycles? Are even pedestrians unsure how the hidden paths, snuggled between sidewalks and parked cars, work?


The last person I observed using the Anholm debacle of road hazards, that NOBODY in the Anholm wanted, was a lady pushing her dog in a baby carriage. My taxes went to a dog buggy path?


As another who values reality over wishes, Yes, I would indeed call Keith Gurnee a friend.


20

Dude, have you driven down south Higuera? Spot on analysis. Put bike lanes / paths where bikes belong like Bob Jones Trail.

Tree hugging for the sake of tree hugging sucks. Put your money into ball fields, parks, open spaces, and hiking and biking trails. Where you can recreate safely. And a greater number of people can enjoy. Congestion and pollution are the result of a city that doesn’t FLOW.


Btw—stay the hell off old creek road. I don’t care to share the road with you there. 3 seconds on the horn when I see you. For safety.


13

According to the CA Department of Motor Vehicles Handbook, “Bicyclists must obey STOP signs and red signal lights, and follow basic right-of-way rules.”


Not only must cyclists stop at stop signs, but it is unlawful for these renegades to ride on the wrong side of the road.


If I encounter an emergency while driving, I’m going to immediately pull over to the right. The cyclist will be at fault if we collide and engage in a head-on collision.


24

Are you certain the vehicle code says that? I have NEVER seen a bicyclist stop at a traffic signal. If the vehicle code said they must stop, I’m certain that all bicyclists would stop at every traffic signal.


-8

Lol


1

That’s precisely the problem. A behavior becomes the norm when it is not corrected and allowed to proliferate. Your point is well taken.


5

Thank you.


0

Among the many valid points about behavior of bicyclists (of which I am one), I would like to add another observation: I bicyclists talking on cell phones…are they not governed by the same law about that as car drivers? They are also bounded by the car drivers’ restriction about DUI, but are they held to it? Bicyclists want the same liberty as both a pedestrian and a motor vehicle operator and will ignore anything that seems to encroach on their perception of “I have the right!”


0