THE County of San Diego announced on Wednesday, November 29 that it received a $125,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to support its Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program. This grant will allow the county’s Department of Homeless Solutions and Equitable Communities to promote safe practices for pedestrians and bicyclists and provide education about the importance of sharing the road.
“All San Diegans should be able to commute, pick up groceries or enjoy a bike ride without the fear of getting hurt,” said San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency Community Operations Officer Barbara Jiménez. “Education is how we bridge the gap to a sustainable and safer future.”
“Everyone deserves a safe environment to travel, regardless of how people get to places,” OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. “The safety of people walking and biking on our roads is a high priority. Education plays a pivotal role in creating a strong road safety culture that prioritizes traffic safety, especially for our most vulnerable road users.”
Grant funds will support a variety of activities focused on bicycle and pedestrian safety, including:
- 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.
- Presentations at community and senior centers and schools on safe bike/walking practices with a focus on the benefits active transportation provides on health, community and climate change.
- “Open Streets” events encouraging biking and walking.
- Providing bicycle and scooter skills training courses on safe riding behaviors.
- Walking field trips with older adults and disabled residents to identify walking hazards and provide information on safe active transportation techniques.
- Presentations at stakeholder meetings focused on active transportation to share best practices and increase collaboration.
The grant program will run through September 2024.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
(Cassie N. Saunders/County of San Diego Communications Office) n
