In light of a fatal bicycle crash that occurred in San Francisco, cyclists everywhere should be more aware than ever about the rules of the road. If Santa Cruz’s cyclists should hope for a safer cycling community, they must put the pedestrians first.

The sixth annual Tour of California makes its second return to Santa Cruz in as many years, with one small change: the finish line shifted from downtown to the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

Last week the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk signed on as the official sponsor of the third-stage finish for the Amgen Tour of California, affirming that the famous bike race will be making a return to the city in 2010. Organizers are hoping it will be an even bigger success than last year, with a larger venue for the finish line and a variety of local sponsors.