SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Dockless bikes peppering San Diego's streets are bringing a whole new emphasis as the region kicks off Bike Month.
It's because safety is becoming an utmost concern. People with little experience are pedaling into downtown gridlock.
As Skii Fleeton of the biking coalition put it - the cart is years beyond the horse. It's because pretty much anyone with a smartphone can credit card can take one of these for a ride - and they're now almost everywhere.
RELATED: National Bike Month kicks off in San Diego
A January memo by the city attorney paved the way for all these bikes. Now, San Diego's streets are inundated with the bright green, yellow, and orange of dockless bikes and scooters. Many have complained about clutter.
But there's also a safety issue - because - as Fleeton puts it, not enough riders know the rules of the road, and safety infrastructure isn't always there.
"We're riding on roads that have potholes that you could swim in. We've got streets where you don't have enough room between cars and the lane, you're in the door zone. All these things Fleeton gave a few examples as people get ready for bike to work day and other events this month.
She says downtown bikers shouldn't stay near the gutter, but instead travel in the middle of the lane so cars follow them. Traffic is already slow enough, she said.
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Fleeton's also seeing people biking on the sidewalk thinking its safer - but cars aren't always looking for them when they cross the street.
In March, some San Diegans reported that ofo dockless bikes were having their brakes cut. 10News has asked the companies and San Diego police for numbers of accidents and vandalism.
San Diego's version of national bike month kicks off tonight with a family-friendly ride around Barrio Logan and the East Village.
