You don’t need a driver’s license to ride a bicycle along Seal Beach’s Old Town streets. However, cyclists must follow the same laws that apply to those who operate motor vehicles.
According to local authorities, that fact seems to have been lost on many a bike rider in the area. Following complaints by motorists, merchants and pedestrians, the Seal Beach Police plan to step up enforcement on those who break the rules of the road—and, albeit, the sidewalk on bicycles.
“Bicyclists need to obey all the same traffic rules as cars,” said Seal Beach City Councilwoman Ellery Deaton, whose District One includes Old Town and Surfside. “They are not pedestrians; they do not have the right of way and yet they are extraordinarily vulnerable when up against a car.”
Deaton noted that cyclists must stop at stop signs, ride single file and ride on the right side of the road. “They may feel safer watching the cars come at them, but when drivers make a turn they are looking for bicyclists going the right direction, not the wrong direction,” Deaton said. “Bicyclists should be educated in the rules of the road and then follow them for their own protection and the protection of others.”
Recent complaints to local authorities have included acknowledging a legitimate concern over bike safety where motorists are concerned, but also that bicyclists themselves are reckless and ride in Old Town with little to no regard to the laws which apply equally to them and motorists.
Meanwhile, the warmer weather of spring and summertime increases the number of cyclists and the problem.
Examples of bicyclists behaving badly have included:
1. On Electric Avenue: bikes will ride on either side of the road, the wrong way down the street. The most common is riding the wrong way in a bike lane.
2. On Electric Avenue: every bike observed has run every stop sign on the street. Many times it’s multiple infractions within moments of each other—i.e. running a series of stop signs down the wrong side of the street.
3. On Main Street: running “Stop” signs, failing to yield to traffic, failing to yield to pedestrians, riding on the sidewalk, riding on the wrong side of the street, etc.
4. On Ocean Avenue: riding on the wrong side of the street, failing to yield to traffic, failing to yield to pedestrians, running the red traffic light, riding a bike in the crosswalk, riding a bike on the sidewalk, riding a bike on the pedestrian paths though Eisenhower Park, etc.
5. At the Bike Path crossover at Marina Drive and the Marina Bridge: running the “Stop” signs on the bike path in both directions and crossing Marina without ever stopping. One motorist said they nearly hit two people on bikes as they bolted across Marina Drive from the bike path.
The Sun Newspaper submitted a Public Information request last year and found that in a period of six to nine months, 11 citations to bicyclists had been issued—a number considered by some to be extremely low.
According to Seal Beach Public Information Officer Sgt. Ron La Velle, increased enforcement on cyclists in Old Town will begin after public awareness campaign.
La Velle said the police action is a response “based on complaints we’re getting from the community.”
According to La Velle, bicycle safety is an issue where there is a high volume of traffic and where there’s a low volume of traffic.
“Let’s say it’s a citywide issue,” he said. “We’ve had fatal bicycle versus bicycle collisions in our city. A fit cyclist who is riding briskly has the potential to injure pedestrians, himself, and/or other cyclists.
According to La Velle, a bicyclist can go as fast as 18 miles per hour. He said, “If you’re a pedestrian and you get hit by a big guy on a bike, you can get hurt.”
La Velle said the increased enforcement will be conducted by officers working their regular patrol shifts and there will be no overtime expense for Seal Beach Police staff in the program.
“It is important that we all obey the traffic laws and treat each other courteously whether we are driving cars or riding bikes,” Deaton said. “By obeying the rules of the road, Old Town will remain a safe and fun place to live and visit.”
Sun Newspaper Assistant Editor Charles M. Kelly contributed to this article.
