“Swerving” — the act of groups of pre-teen and young teen bicyclists cutting in and out of traffic  — populates Internet social media videos.

While it is nothing new to Manteca streets, it has increased in recent weeks.

It has prompted a crackdown by Manteca Police.

Police Chief Steve Schluer is in the process of forwarding a proposed new addition to the municipal code for the City Council to consider adopting that would allow officers to issue citations specifically for reckless bicycle riding.

Officers have been pulling over such reckless riders in larger numbers recently but are limited in the traffic violations that can be issued.

A category of “reckless” bicycling would up the ante in terms of consequences.

“State law requires that bicyclist follow the same rules of the road as motor vehicles,” Schluer noted.

The police chief said there hasn’t been a serious incident yet although the offending bicyclists have prompted drivers to take evasive moves or to stop.

He indicated one recent crash between a bicyclist and vehicle that was cited on social media posts as the fault of swerving activity was instead an accident absent of intentional reckless behavior

In a letter distributed earlier this month to parents via the Manteca Unified School District, Schluer pointed out “a simple internet search will reveal the widespread and perilous nature of this activity known as ‘swerving’."

The police chief said “the Manteca Police Department takes this matter seriously and has made it a priority to respond to calls involving such behavior. Given the significant risk of great bodily injury or even death to the bicyclists, we are taking enforcement action to discourage participation.”

“Consequently, you may notice an increase in the enforcement efforts of Manteca Police Officers, resulting in a higher number of citations and arrests. In cases involving juveniles, we will make every effort to contact their parents or guardians.

Schluer is urging all citizens who witness these dangerous and illegal activities to promptly report them to the police dispatch center.

One of the most common violations the department encounters is California Vehicle Code (CVC) 21650, which mandates that all cyclists must travel in the same direction as traffic.

Cyclists who wish to travel in the opposite direction of traffic must walk with their bicycles on the sidewalk.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com