County awarded grant for Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program

Fernanda Lopez Halvorson

San Diego County Communications Office

A $125,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety will fund activities emphasizing the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians.

"Bicycle ridership is growing and a big part of San Diego County's sustainable future," Barbara Jimenez, officer of San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency Community Operations, said. "It has never been more important to promote both the benefits of cycling and ensuring everyone is using our roads safely."

"Every bicyclist and pedestrian should feel safe on the road," OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. "Education is one of many important tools that collectively work to make sure everyone, regardless of how they travel, reaches their destination safely."

Grant funds will support a variety of activities focused on bicycle and pedestrian safety, including education and outreach social media campaign to engage an expanded audience on safety and active transportation topics; participation in State and National campaigns, such as National Walk to School Day and California's Pedestrian Safety Month and community, senior center and school education presentations on safest bike/walking practices, with a focus on the benefits active transportation provides on health, community and climate change.

It will also support participation in "Open Streets" events encouraging biking and walking; bicycle and scooter skills training courses that educate on safe riding behaviors; walking field trips with older adults and disabled residents to identify walking hazards and educate on safe active transportation techniques and presentations at stakeholder meetings focused on active transportation to share best practices and increase collaboration.

The services, which will run through Sept. 30, 2023, will be provided by Circulate San Diego. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For more information, contact Dara Braitman from Circulate San Diego at [email protected].