SLCPD Completes Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Grant Project

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department has completed its 2016 Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety grant project funded by the Utah Department of Public Safety Highway Safety Office. As part of the project, officers completed the following activities:

• 23 overtime shifts focused on enforcement and education for pedestrians and motorists interacting in Salt Lake City crosswalks. The shifts resulted in more than 200 contacts.
• 9 overtime shifts focused on enforcement and education for cyclists and motorists interacting on Salt Lake City streets. Officers distributed free visibility bands to cyclists and handed out educational material to both cyclists and motorists. The shifts resulted in more than 80 contacts.
• 8 youth bicycle rodeos to teach participants basic bicycle skills and the importance of wearing safety gear. Officers distributed free helmets and bicycle lights to participants and estimate more than 450 youth participated in the rodeo events.

Bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists are involved in accidents every year. According to the Utah Department of Public Safety Highway Safety Office there was a yearly average of 839 bicycle/motor vehicle collisions and 909 pedestrians struck by motor vehicles from 2011 to 2013. The police department thanks the Utah Highway Safety Office for the opportunity to participate in the pedestrian and bicycle safety project and remains committed to efforts that increase safety on and near the Salt Lake City roadways.

For additional information about SLCPD bicycle rodeos, visit: https://police.slc.gov/bike-rodeos

For additional information about the UHSO and its grant programs, visit http://highwaysafety.utah.gov/

###