Mayors' Challenge for Bicyclist and Pedestrian Safety
On January 22nd, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary, Anthony Foxx issued a challenge to mayors and local elected officials to improve safety for bicycle riders and pedestrians of all ages and abilities. As SVBC has been working on our Vision Zero initiative since 2011, we couldn't be more thrilled that this issue is gaining national attention, and we echo Foxx's challenge to the elected leaders in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties.This region must make the roads safer for alternate modes of transportation and alter the perception of its residents that those types of trips are unsafe. The American Community Survey showed that in 2013 in San Mateo County, only 1% of workers 16 years and older commuted by bike as their primary mode of transportation to work. In Santa Clara County in 2013, 1.9% of workers 16 years and older commute by bike as their primary mode of transportation to work. The Office of Traffic Safety showed that in 2012, there were 244 bicyclists injured or killed in San Mateo County and 746 bicyclists injured or killed in Santa Clara County. These deaths and injuries are unacceptable and the underlying causes need to be addressed.Secretary Foxx asks local leaders to take on three tasks:
- Issue a public statement about the importance of bicycle and pedestrian safety,
- Form a local action team to advance safety and accessibility goals,
- Take local action through the challenge activities.
We encourage all local elected officials (including mayors, city councils and Board of Supervisors) to work with SVBC and our existing Roadway Safety Solutions Team on the goals and activities outlined in Secretary Foxx's challenge.These include:
- Take a Complete Streets approach
- Identify and address barriers to make streets safe and convenient for all road users, including people of all ages and abilities and those using assistive mobility devices
- Gather and track biking and walking data
- Use designs that are appropriate to the context of the street and its uses
- Take advantage of opportunities to create and complete ped-bike networks through maintenance
- Improve walking and biking safety laws and regulations
- Educate and enforce proper road use behavior by all
Cities can join the challenge by filling out this form, or emailing pedbikesafety@dot.gov.SVBC has sent a letter to every City Council and the Board of Supervisors in our two counties highlighting this challenge. Concerned citizens should write their elected officials to encourage them to sign on to this important challenge. Take action here.
