South San Francisco Observes May as National Bicycle Safety Month

Published on May 01, 2026

Grant funding helps expand education and enforcement to keep bicyclists safe

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 1, 2026 - From children riding to school to older adults staying active and healthy, bicycling is both a pastime and a mode of transportation for thousands of Californians. May is National Bicycle Safety Month, and the City of South San Francisco is urging everyone to be alert to keep bicyclists safe.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 1,166 people killed while riding a bike on U.S. roads in 2023, and an estimated 49,489 bicyclists were injured. In California, there were 145 bicyclists killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023.

“Bicyclists do not have the same protections as drivers, so it’s our shared responsibility as a community to keep them safe,” said Traffic Sergeant Ivan De La Cruz. “This is especially true for children, who are still learning how to safely use our streets. When drivers slow down, stay alert, and give young riders extra space and patience, we’re helping create safer streets for everyone.”

The City of South San Francisco has taken additional steps to improve safety around schools by implementing reduced speed limits of 20 mph in school zones. These lower speeds are intended to provide drivers with more time to see and react to children walking and bicycling. Young riders may make sudden or unpredictable movements, and slower vehicle speeds reduce the likelihood and severity of crashes.

To further improve safety, the City will conduct traffic safety operations throughout the month, focusing on driver behaviors that place bicyclists and pedestrians at risk, including speeding, unsafe turning movements, failure to yield, and stop sign or red-light violations.

The City of South San Francisco suggests the following safety tips for people riding bikes and driving:

Drivers

• Slow down and follow posted speed limits, especially in school zones.
• Watch for people riding bikes before turning, changing lanes, or opening vehicle doors.
• Give people riding bikes space when passing. California law requires at least 3 feet of clearance and a lane change when possible.
• Be especially cautious around children on bicycles. While many ride on sidewalks, children are also allowed to ride on the roadway and may ride unpredictably. Allow extra space and avoid sudden movements.
• Never drive distracted or impaired.

People Riding Bikes

• Use lights at night.
• Although not required for riders 18 and older, helmets significantly reduce the chance of a head injury in the event of a crash.
• People riding bikes must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.
• Yield to people walking, just as a driver would. Pedestrians have the right-of-way within marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections. 

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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About the City of South San Francisco

The City of South San Francisco proudly remains The Industrial City, a reflection of its steel mill and ship building past, redefined to reflect the innovative, entrepreneurial, and industrious spirit which has made South San Francisco the Biotech Capital of the World, with nearly 250 active biotech companies and growing. A vibrant community of 66,185 residents with a daytime population of 90,000 workers and visitors, South San Francisco enjoys a high quality of life with an extensive public parks system, active library and learning programming, and a dynamic, engaged community making South San Francisco a great place to live, learn, work, and play.