Why, When and How We Sweep Our Streets

May 12, 2021

One of the biggest reasons we sweep our streets is for Vehicle/Pedestrian Safety. Safety is of the utmost concern for all. Enhanced safety is one very important aspect of municipal cleaning. Debris in street gutters are a common contributing factor to accidents involving loss of traction. This is a serious issue with cyclists and bikers. Less debris means fewer skids, and less accidents overall.

In Riverside, we have a route that we follow each year starting with curb and gutter streets. We start on these streets because debris collects along the curb and gutter going into the storm sewer. The debris in this area is hazardous to motorcyclists and we like to prevent as much debris going into catch basins and storm sewers as much as possible.

We sweep all streets in Riverside a minimum of twice per year, starting in late April. Thoroughfares are first followed by curb and gutter streets and ending with open shoulder streets. The open shoulder streets allow debris to wash off the roadway naturally. It is larger debris the sweeper collects on these streets. We start on the north side of the City (curb and gutter streets) and move to the south side (curb and gutter streets). Next, we sweep open shoulder streets. Once the residential streets are completed the first time, we start on a second pass for the thoroughfares.

Please note that we can not take special requests. We notify via Facebook in advance of the sweeping so that residents can move their cars. If your street is swept while your car is parked on the street, it will be swept during the second pass through the City.

Last modified: May 12, 2021

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