Bicycling on a freeway shoulder is dangerous, even where it is legal to do so in California.
But doing so in an auxiliary lane while popping wheelies on the line separating it from the slow lane is the definition of stupidity squared.
And doing it on the 120 Bypass is in a league of itself when it comes to bonehead moves.
There is a reason why the state committed money to the 120 Bypass/Highway 99 connection project now underway under the auspices of the San Joaquin Council of Governments even though the work wasn’t on the state’s radar until after 2040.
A Caltrans study as part of the environmental report for the project indicated the Bypass was 6.5 times more deadly than a typical stretch of California freeway.
There is almost an accident every other day whether it is a cut or two above a fender bender or a major injury/fatality.
And that doesn’t include two homeless individuals who were struck and killed 20 months apart crossing freeway lanes east of the Main Street interchange.
To be clear, the pack of a hundred or so young teens that cycled down the Bypass from Union Road to Main Street aren’t the first to do so.
Over the years, the homeless have been spotted bicycling along the shoulder heading toward homeless encampments that once populated the Bypass west of what is today the McKinley Avenue interchange.
It’s good to know the city is moving as fast as it can to put in place language in the municipal code to outlaw “street takeovers” by bicyclists.
What’s not good is some of the knee jerk reaction that Manteca Police somehow aren’t doing their job.
If anyone is to blame for the wanton disregard of packs of teen bicyclists swerving in and out of traffic and doing wheelies on busy arterials in Manteca besides the bicyclists themselves, it’s their parents.
That point can be debated until the cows come home, but if blame is put on someone besides the bicyclists it’s the parents and not the police.
Riding a bicycle especially on the street is serious business.
Not repeatedly drilling into a kids’ head about the rules and responsibility when giving them a bicycle is as irresponsible as giving them car keys and let them make their own rules on the street.
Giving the police the ability to impound bicycles for flagrant violations of the California Vehicle Code, swerving in and out of traffic, or doing wheelies on arterials is a good start.
But the city also needs to find a way to put a lid on growing problems with e-scooters, e-bikes, and other e-devices that people use to zip down streets — and on sidewalks.
There are also accidents waiting to happen with an asterisk.
That asterisk is the fact all of the e-things tend to move a lot faster than most people on foot.
And when they do so zipping in and out of traffic, cutting in front of moving traffic, or moving down a sidewalk at 15 mph while approaching a pedestrian it becomes downright dangerous.
Mix that with the nasty tendency of a number of drivers to text while driving and you’ve created what could be the perfect storm for serious injuries or even death.
Let’s be clear on one point.
There is only so much that the Manteca Police can do.
And we’re not just talking about giving chase to 100 or so arrogant teen-age bicyclists if by chance an officer is nearby when they decide to take a spin on the 120 Bypass.
The traffic division has their hands full trying to catch speeders, stop signs runners, and other Vehicle Code sins that break the law and defy common sense and courtesy.
That’s not to mention all the other tasks police are expected to handle during a typical 10-hour shift to serve and protect.
If there was a way to re-enforce the concept that you are not the center of the universe and make it stick, they’d be no need for a police department.
About the best they can do is be equipped with tools so that when they do catch someone, they can put teeth in the punishment.
That may include, if feasible under state law or city ordinances, the ability to cite someone under 18 for bicycling or using personal e-transportation devices without wearing a helmet.
Better yet, why not some targeted enforcement against bicyclists of all ages concentrating on the big sins such as bicycling through red lights or riding against traffic at least on major arterials?
If all goes well, the city might get a rep of being a place where people — in cars, on bicycles, e-scooters or whatever — regardless of their age comply with Vehicle Code law out of concern or fear they could be ticketed.
But let’s be honest.
That might work in Mayberry, but Manteca is closing in on 100,000 residents and counting.
What is needed is an attitude adjustment by each and everyone one of us.
When it comes to traffic laws there is not a single one of us who doesn’t tell their self little white lies.
Not coming close to even a rolling stop at a stop sign when there is no one around is no big deal.
Going 75 in a 55 mph is OK because there is no CHP unit nearby, is justified as it is a way to get to where we are going sooner than later.
Running red lights is OK because we can without paying the price, although that is no longer true at five intersections in Manteca.
Police can’t be everywhere.
And with 9,824 tickets issued in just nine months at the five intersections in Manteca via red light cameras, it’s pretty clear that the prospect of a $490 financial hit with a fine isn’t fazing a lot of people.
That said, if people wantonly disregard the law on a wholesale basis whether it is the use of illegal fireworks or running red lights, the city clearly needs to forgo warnings and keep cutting to the chase.
It’s hard to believe anyone doesn’t understand the use of illegal fireworks is illegal or that you’re not supposed to run red lights.
Impound bicycles and put in place every fine possible when teens do “street takeovers.”
It’s completely justified given if you don’t nip such wanton behavior now just wait for the next generation of drivers on our streets.
This column is the opinion of editor, Dennis Wyatt, and does not necessarily represent the opinions of The Bulletin or 209 Multimedia. He can be reached at dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
