In an effort to make the streets safer for those who traverse them without the shield of a car around them, the Modesto Police Department is launching a dedicated safety operation throughout August. This new initiative is squarely aimed at reducing the risks faced by bicyclists and pedestrians from the perilous dance they often have to navigate with motor vehicles, as per Modesto Police Department.

The month-long operation will run Mondays through Fridays, from the early morning bustle at 7 a.m. to the waning hours of the afternoon at 4 p.m. It's timing, a reminder that the hustle of our lives often intersects with the frailty of our fleshy vessels unprotected by steel frames. The focus is on the behaviors that lead to close calls and casualties—speeding, illegal turns, right-of-way violations, and ignoring signals, according to the Modesto Police Department's Facebook announcement.

Sgt. Robert Hall underscored the intention behind the move, "We all have places to be, and not everyone gets there by car," he told the Modesto Police Department's social media followers. "Bicyclists and pedestrians have the same rights to the road but face even more risk without the protections vehicles have. We should all be looking out for one another."

In conjunction with enforcement, the Modesto Police Department are spreading practical advice to keep pedestrians, and bicyclists on the safer side of the stats. They urge pedestrians to embrace predictability, like using crosswalks, and to elevate their visibility with light-colored clothing, or at a minimum, a flashlight after dusk, but drivers, have their part to play as well. Obligations such as adhering to speed limits and respecting crosswalks are reiterated. For cyclists, the guidance is clear: obey traffic laws, avoid the "door zone" near parked cars and use lights when riding at night.