The Irvine Unified School District (IUSD), in partnership with the Irvine Police Department (IPD), would like to remind our students and families about the importance of bicycle and helmet safety and what all drivers can do to help keep kids safe on our roads. The following are bicycle safety and driving tips and videos from IPD.
Videos:
For Bicycle Riders (parents and children):
- Follow the rules of the road
- Wear properly-fitted bicycle helmets at all times
- Always model safe riding behavior when riding with children
- Spend time riding with younger riders to teach them safe riding skills
- Plan and practice the safest route to school with your child before allowing them to ride
- Ride your bike on the right side of the street in the SAME direction as traffic
- Riders and passengers should only ride on a permanent seat of a bicycle, never on the pegs or handle bars
- Learn and use proper hand signals when riding
- Avoid using cell phones or other distracting devices when riding your bicycle
For Drivers:
- Be aware of pedestrians and bicyclists in and around schools (IUSD tells drivers around schools, “They aren’t always looking for you, so please look for them.”)
- Comply with school drop-off and pick-up procedures
- Stop for a school bus with red flashing overhead lights (does not apply to divided roadways)
- Follow the rules of the road and avoid using cell phones or other distracting devices while driving
- Slow down and observe all speed limits in and around schools
Crosswalks and Crossing Guards:
- If a crossing guard is present, enter a crosswalk only when directed to do so
- Bicyclists should get off their bikes and walk in crosswalks
- Drivers should never enter a crosswalk until pedestrians and bicyclists are on the sidewalk