Burlingame police report: 13 collision reports in May including juvenile e‑bike major injury

Sergeant Orloff of the Burlingame Police Department told the Transportation Safety & Parking Commission that the department logged 13 collision reports for May, with nine vehicle‑to‑vehicle collisions, two fixed‑object collisions and two incidents involving bicyclists.

"For the month of May, there were 13 total collision report[s]," Sergeant Orloff said, summarizing the monthly figures. He said of those collisions one resulted in a major injury and eight resulted in minor injuries.

Orloff described several notable cases: a broadside crash in the downtown business district that produced minor injuries, a parks-and-rec community bike‑ride fall that caused a minor back complaint, and a major‑injury crash in December involving an e‑bike and a vehicle in which a juvenile sustained what the sergeant recalled as a broken hand.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the timing and reporting of collisions and whether e‑bike riders can be cited for traffic violations. Orloff said bicyclists — including e‑bikes — must follow the rules of the road and officers can cite riders for violations such as failing to stop or unsafe speeds.

"Absolutely," Orloff said when asked whether Burlingame police can ticket e‑bikes that do not follow traffic rules. "If the bike was speeding, if the bike didn't stop at a stop sign or yield … we will stop bicyclists."

Orloff also explained the department's procedure for documenting injuries: if officers are notified later that an injury occurred they will add that information to the collision record after speaking with involved parties and, when available, reviewing sketches and statements.

The commission thanked Sergeant Orloff for the report and moved on to the evening2s agenda items.