 Creative Approaches for Law Enforcement to Promote Bicycle Safety Bicycle Diversion Programs

 Acknowledgements California Department of Health Services and the California Kids’ Plates Program funded the Pilot Training Program

 Acknowledgements Andrea Lee, MPH Contra Costa County Health Services Bart Carr Walnut Creek Diversion Program

 Acknowledgements California Office of Traffic Safety funded Curriculum Development

 Encouraging a Broad Definition of Enforcement Education Incentives Media Verbal Warnings Written Warnings Tickets Diversion Classes Fines/Community Service

 The Bicycle Head Injury Prevention Program surveyed Police and Sheriff’s Departments throughout California about their enforcement of the new State Law during EVERY agency responded 347 Police Departments 62 County Sheriff’s Departments and Sub-Stations

 Issue Citations? Yes 86% Police Departments 69% County Sheriff’s Departments

 Enforcement 41% very frequently, frequently or somewhat frequently 46% infrequently 17% never or no answer

 Are Warnings/Citations Counted? 7% Count Warnings 26% Count Citations Are Warnings/Citations Issued? 5,051 Warnings Issued 10,497 Citations Issued

 Enforcement Details 22% conducted enforcement details, such as bicycle helmet checkpoints near schools Of those doing such enforcement, 34% sponsor or participate in bicycle safety classes 15% classes are mandatory

 Barriers to Enforcement 76% Time/Personnel occupied by other duties 37% No funding for bicycle programs 20% Public relations with kids or parents 17% “Warning for first offense” deters officers from attempting enforcement

 Barriers to Enforcement (cont’d) 16% Do not consider helmet use a significant child safety issue 14% Inadequate system for tracking juvenile violations 14% DARE/other children’s programs better approach 14% Not viewed as enforcement priority by administration

 Bicycle Safety/Incentive Programs Now Would Like Doing To Consider Total Elementary School 54% 23% 77% educational programs Junior High School 25% 19% 44% educational programs Bicycle Rodeos 55%11% 66% Coupons, prizes, awards 22%37% 59% for following safety rules Free or low cost helmet 31%39% 70% distribution programs Police Bike Patrol 10%26% 36% mentoring programs for competitive cycling

 Encouraging Enforcement Have bike patrols 57% Willing to participate in 59% Statewide teleconferences Have collaborated previously 22% with Local Health Department Willing to work with Local 69% Health Department on bike safety/incentive programs

 Curriculum (cont’d) Working with the courts Obtaining buy-in from law enforcement Correct helmet use and fitting

 Curriculum (cont’d) Resources for videos, educational materials, and low cost helmets Reviewing vehicle code Developmentally appropriate

 Curriculum (cont’d) Provide a range of alternatives to optimize local resources Lesson plans Sample forms and letters Quizzes Copy masters User friendly

 Curriculum (cont’d) Provide grant objectives so law enforcement agencies can obtain implementation funding from OTS Adaptable for other states

 California Diversion Programs Chico Duarte Huntington Beach Lemon Grove Martinez Palm Desert Red Bluff Ridgecrest Walnut Creek