Cyclists And Pedestrians Targeted In Petaluma Traffic Enforcement Operation

PETALUMA (CBS SF) -- Police arrested a bicyclist on suspicion of violating the terms of his probation and cited 20 others during a pedestrian and bicycle enforcement operation in Petaluma Friday morning, police said.

Citations were issued to bicyclists for failing to stop at stop signs and riding on the wrong side of the street, according to police.

Bicyclists must obey the same laws as motorists. Bicyclists must stop at traffic signals and stop signs and ride in the same direction as motor vehicles, for example, according to police.

Youth under 18 years old must wear a bicycle helmet when riding a bicycle, police said.

Officers did not cite any pedestrians, but they warned four for crossing a road unsafely and jaywalking, according to police.

Officers are urging people who walk in the downtown area especially to cross only during a walk signal and always use crosswalks when crosswalks are available, police said.

Officers are also urging pedestrians to be careful when crossing busy roads and intersections, according to police.

The enforcement effort was paid for with funds from the California Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, police said.

Officers conducted the enforcement effort mainly in the downtown area and near schools, according to police.

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