RECOMMENDATIONSTOIMPROVEPEDESTRIAN&BICYCLISTSAFETYFORTHEMOUNTAINVIEWSCHOOLDISTRICT(ELMONTE/SOUTHELMONTE)

August2016

ByCaroJauregui,JaimeFearer,TonyDang,WendyAlfsenCaliforniaWalks;JillCooper,UCBerkeleySafeTREC

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RecommendationstoImprovePedestrianSafetyinMountainViewSchoolDistrict(ElMonte/SouthElMonte)B Y C A R O J A U R E G U I , J A I M E F E A R E R , T O N Y D A N G , W E N D Y A L F S E N C A L I F O R N I A W A L K S ; J I L L C O O P E R , U C B E R K E L E Y S A F E T R E C

INTRODUCTION

Incollaborationwithcommunity-basedorganizationDayOne,theMountainViewSchoolDistrictwasidentifiedasasitefortheCommunityPedestrianandBicyclistSafetyTrainingprogrambasedontheDistrict’sinterestinandneedfortechnicalassistanceandresourcestoimprovepedestriansafety,bicyclistsafety,walkability,andbikeabilityinresponsetorecentbikecollisionsinvolvingtheDistrict’sstudents.FollowingadditionalconversationswithDayOne,BikeSanGabrielValley,andMountainViewSchoolDistrictstaff,thecommunityinvitedtheUniversityofCaliforniaatBerkeley’sSafeTransportationResearchandEducationCenter(SafeTREC)andCaliforniaWalks(CalWalks)toCharlesT.KranzIntermediateinElMontetofacilitateacommunity-drivenpedestrianandbicyclistsafetyaction-planningworkshop.CalWalksfacilitatedtheworkshoponApril28,2016,whichconsistedof:1)anoverviewofmultidisciplinaryapproachestoimprovepedestrianandbicyclistsafety;2)twowalkabilityandbikeabilityassessmentsalongtwokeyrouteswherestudentswalkandbiketo/fromschool;and3)smallgroupactionplanningdiscussionstofacilitatethedevelopmentofcommunity-prioritizedrecommendationstoinformElMonteandSouthElMonte’sactivetransportationeffortsandtheDistrict’songoingeffortstoensuresaferoutesto/fromschoolsthroughouttheDistrict,whichlieswithinthecitiesofElMonteandSouthElMonte.Thisreportsummarizestheworkshopproceedings,aswellasideasidentifiedduringtheprocessandrecommendationsforpedestrianandbicyclistsafetyprojects,policies,andprograms.

BACKGROUND

CommunityPedestrianandBicyclistSafetyTrainingProgram

TheCommunityPedestrianandBicyclistSafetyTraining(CPBST)programisajointprojectofUCBerkeleySafeTRECandCalWalks.FundingforthisprogramisprovidedbyagrantfromtheCaliforniaOfficeofTrafficSafety(OTS)throughtheNationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministration(NHTSA).ThepurposeoftheCPBSTistotrainlocalneighborhoodresidentsandsafetyadvocatesonhowtoimprovepedestrianandbicyclistsafetyandtoeducatethemonhowtocollaborateeffectivelywithlocalofficialsandagencystafftomakecommunitiessaferandmorepleasanttowalkandbike.Thehalf-daytrainingisdesignedtoprovideparticipantswithbothpedestrianandbicyclistsafetybestpracticesand

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arangeofprovenstrategies(the6E’s:Empowerment&Equity,Evaluation,Engineering,Enforcement,Education,andEncouragement)toaddressandimprovepedestrianandbicyclistsafetyconditionsandconcerns.Participantsarethenguidedonawalkabilityandbikeabilityassessmentofnearbystreetsbeforesettingpedestrianandbicyclistsafetyprioritiesandactionablenextstepsfortheircommunity.

ForasummaryofoutcomesfrompastCPSTworkshops,pleasevisit:www.californiawalks.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/CPST-Annual-Report-2015.pdf

SelectedPedestrian&BicyclistSafetyConditionsinElMonte/SouthElMonte

PrevalenceofWideNeighborhoodStreetsThoughtherearemanywidearterialcorridorsinElMonteandSouthElMontesuchasDurfeeAvenue,ValleyBoulevard,andGarveyAvenue,wideneighborhoodstreetsalsopresentproblemsforresidents,includingFineviewStreet,ElliottAvenue,MaxsonRoad,andParkwayDrive.Thewidestofthese,ParkwayDrive,isaroughly60feetwideneighborhoodstreetthatismostoftenusedbystudentstogettoandfromCharlesT.KranzIntermediateandMountainViewHighSchool.Thesingletravellaneineachdirectioniscloseto20feetwidewithon-streetparkingoneithersideofthestreet.Researchhasdemonstratedthatwidestreetsandwidetravellanesareassociatedwithhighervehiclespeeds,1whichaffectsafetyforpeoplewalkingandbicycling.ThoughspeedbumpshavebeenimplementedonParkwayDrivetodiscouragehighspeeds,residentsreportthattheyhaveproventobeineffectivebasedonresidents’observationsoftireburnsonthestreetandexperienceswithcarracesthatcontinuetooccuralongthiscorridor.Trafficcalmingmeasures,includingtheadditionofon-streetbicycleinfrastructure,mayimprovetheconditionsalongtheseroadsforallusers.Worn&FadedStreetMarkingsDuringCalWalks’sitevisit,staffobservednumerouswornandfadedmarkingsatcrosswalksandalongcurbstodenote“NoParking”zones.ThemajorityofthesefadedmarkingswereobservedonDurfeeAvenue—amajorarterialroad—betweenGarveyAvenueandRamonaBoulevard,wherefiveschoolsaredirectlylocatedonoradjacenttothecorridor:MadridMiddleSchool,JerryVorhisElementarySchool,TwinLakesElementarySchool,LaPrimariaElementarySchool,andFernandoR.LedesmaContinuationHighSchool.Mostofthemarkedcrosswalksobservedneartheschoolswereextremelyfadedandnothighlyvisible.AtDurfeeAvenueandElliotAvenue,thecrosswalkmarkingsarefaded,andthelackofredcurb“NoParking”zonesattheintersectioncontributestodecreasedvisibilityandsafetyofpeopleonfoot.ClosedCrossingsandInsufficientCrosswalks/CrossingsAlongmanycorridorsinElMonteandSouthElMonteheavilyusedbypedestrians,CalWalksstaffobservedclosedcrossingsdespitecleargeneratorsofpedestrianactivity.OneoftheseintersectionsisclosetoMadridMiddleSchoolonDurfeeAvenueandStoddardWay.Thisintersectionisusedbystudentstogettoandfromschoolandwouldcreatemoreaccesstotheschoolifallfourlegsoftheintersectionwereopenedtopedestriancrossingsandmarkedwithcrosswalks.AtDurfeeAvenueandFerrisRoad,thecrosswalklegsacrossFerrisareopen,thoughnotmarked,andthemarkingsacrossDurfeeAvenuearefaded.TheconditionsaresimilaratDurfeeAvenueandDeanaStreetandotherstop-controlledintersections. 1SeeKayFitzpatrick,PaulCarlson,MarcusBrewer,andMarkWooldridge,“DesignFactorsThatAffectDriverSpeedonSuburbanArterials":TransportationResearchRecord1751(2000):18–25.

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LackofSidewalks&DiscontinuousSidewalksaroundKranzIntermediateSchoolSidewalksprovidephysicalseparationforpeoplewalkingfromvehicletrafficandareacriticalcomponentforpedestriansafety,especiallyforstudentswalking,usingascooter,orskateboardingtoschool.Duringoursitevisit,CalWalksstaffobservedareasaroundKranzIntermediateSchoolthatlackedsidewalks,includingtheeasternsideofRushStreetjustsouthofDurfeeAvenuetoitssouthernterminus,ParkwayDrivebetweenFineviewStreetandRushStreet,BurkettRoadneartheintersectionwithRushStreetandeast

ofFineviewStreet,sectionsofCaminarAvenue,andBryceRoad.LackofBicycleFacilitiesConnectingStudents’HomesandSchoolsCurrently,onlyKranzIntermediateandMadridMiddleSchoolStudentsareallowedtobike,scoot,andskatetoschoolintheMountainViewSchoolDistrict.CalWalksstaffsurveyedapproximately20youthwhobicycletoandfromKranzIntermediateSchool,andmostofthemindicatedthattheybikeeverywhere,notjusttoandfromschool.Thestudentsexplainedthattheirtypicalbikerideto/fromschoolsisaboutfivetotenminuteslongandvoicedstrongsupportforinstallingmorebikelanesintheircommunity,giventhatthereareonlyfourbikelanesintheareanow.ThestudentsexpressedparticularsupportforbikelanesalongDurfeeAvenue.Schoolofficialshaveexpressedconcernswithconflictsbetweenstudentsridingbikeswithstudentswalkingonthesidewalk,socurrentdismissalpolicieshavestudentswhobicycletoschoolwaittenminutesafterschooldismissalbeforebeingallowedtoleavesoastonotintervenewithstudentswalking.

STUDENTS WALKING TO SCHOOL IN ROADWAY IN AREAS WITH NO SIDEWALKS

SIDEWALK CONFLICTS BETWEEN STUDENTS WALKING, SKATEBOARDING, AND BICYCLING DURING SCHOOL ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL

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ConflictsbetweenVehicleTrafficandStudentsWalking&BikingDuringArrival/DismissalAspartofoursitevisit,CalWalksstaffobservedschoolarrivalatMadridMiddleSchoolonMonday,March21,2016.MadridMiddleSchoolislocatedinanindustrialareaofElMontenexttotheI-10.MorningrushhourtrafficassociatedwiththeI-10,particularlybetween7:15amand7:45am,posedchallengesforstudentswalkingandbikingtoschoolaimingtoarriveat7:30am.ThoughtheSchoolDistricthasdesignatedanoff-sitedrop-offareaforparentsdrivingtheirchildrentoschoolalongDurfeeAvenueandGarveyAvenueinadditiontoadesignatedon-sitedrop-offareaonStoddardWay,thesetwodrop-offareasareinsufficientforthenumberofparentsdroppingoff/pickinguptheirchildren.Parentdriversandotherrushhourdriversalso

frequentlyblockedtheintersectionofDurfeeAvenue,GarveyAvenue,andtheI-10on/off-rampsduringschoolarrivalhours.ThehightrafficvolumesandturningvehiclemovementsfromDurfeeAvenuecreatechallengingcrossingconditionsforthehighvolumesofstudentscrossingatDurfeeAvenueandGarveyAvenue.TheSchoolDistricthasattemptedtomitigatethissituationbyplacingmultiplecrossingguardsatthisintersection,andadditionalmeasuresarenecessary.Pedestrian&BicyclistCollisionHistoryBetween2010-2014,2therewere172pedestriancollisions,including5fatalitiesand16severeinjuries,inElMonte,and301bicyclistcollisionsincluding1fatalitiesand9severeinjuries,inElMontecitywide.Duringthesametimeperiod,therewere42pedestriancollisions,including2fatalitiesand6severeinjuries,and78bicyclistcollisions,including3severeinjuriesbutnofatalitiesinSouthElMonte.ThemajorcollisioncorridorsincludeValleyBoulevard,GarveyAvenue,SantaAnitaAvenue,TylerAvenue,PeckRoad,andDurfeeAvenue.SafeTRECstaffalsoanalyzedpedestrianandbicyclistcollisionsthathaveoccurredaroundMadridMiddleSchoolandKranzIntermediateSchool.AroundMadridMiddleSchool,collisionscenteredaroundmajorcorridorsincludingFivePoints.Noneoftheseinjurieswerefatal,butsevenresultedinsevereinjuries.IntheareasurroundingKranzIntermediateSchool,collisionswerescatteredaroundmajorcorridorsinbothElMonteandSouthElMonte.Twoofthesecollisionswerefatalandsevenweresevereinjuries.

2Pleasenotethat2014collisiondataisprovisionalandnotyetfinal.

INTERSECTION AND CROSSWALK BLOCKED DURING SCHOOL ARRIVAL/RUSH HOUR

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InElMonte,morethanhalf(55.7%)ofpedestriancollisionscanbeattributedtoadriverviolation,whileroughlyonethirdofpedestriancollisions(31.1%)canbeattributedtoapedestrianviolation.Driverviolationswerelargelyfailuretoyieldtoapedestrianwiththeright-of-way,3whilepedestrianviolationswereprimarilyfailureofthepedestriantoyieldtovehicletrafficwhencrossingoutsideacrosswalk.4ForbicyclistcollisionsinElMonte,39.6%canbeattributedtobicyclingonthewrongsideoftheroad(againsttraffic)andanadditional16.1%canbe

attributedtofailingtoyieldtovehicletrafficwiththeright-of-way.InSouthElMonte,morethanhalf(58.3%)ofpedestriancollisionscanbeattributedtoadriverviolation,whilenearly42%canbeattributedtoapedestrianviolation.Driverviolationswerelargelyfailuretoyieldtoapedestrianwiththeright-of-way(27.5%),whilepedestrianviolationswereprimarilyfailureofthepedestriantoyieldtovehicletrafficwhencrossingoutsideacrosswalk.ForbicyclistcollisionsinSouthElMonte,38.1%canbeattributedtobicyclingonthewrongsideoftheroad(againsttraffic)andanadditional16.8%canbeattributedtofailingtoyieldtovehicletrafficwiththeright-of-way.

APRIL28WORKSHOPThecommunity-basedorganization,DayOne,requestedaworkshopto1)provideCity/Countystaff,communityorganizations,theMountainViewSchoolDistrict,parents,andotherresidentswithatoolkitforpromotingpedestrianandbicyclistsafetytoinformfutureactivetransportationprojectsincludingaanapplicationforthestate-wideActiveTransportationProgram;2)strengthenworkingrelationshipsbetweenDayOne,BikeSGV,andtheMountainViewSchoolDistricttoensurethebestoutcomesforstudentsandtheirfamilies;and3)developconsensus 3PedestrianRight-of-WayViolationsaredefinedasinstanceswhereadriverfailstoyieldtoapedestrianinamarkedorunmarkedcrosswalkwhenthepedestrianhastherightofway(e.g.,whenthepedestrianhasa“Walk”signalatasignalizedintersection).4Pedestrianshavetheright-of-wayinmarkedandunmarkedcrossings,anddriversarelegallyrequiredtoyieldtopedestriansintheseinstances.However,whenpedestrianscrossoutsideofmarkedorunmarkedcrossings,pedestriansmustyieldtheright-of-waytodrivers.Thisisnotthesameastheterm“jaywalking,”whichreferstocrossingoutsideofamarkedorunmarkedcrossingbetweentwosignalizedintersections.Apedestrianislegallyabletocrossoutsideofamarkedorunmarkedcrossingbetweentwointersectionswhereoneornoneoftheintersectionsissignalizedbutonlyifthepedestrianyieldstheright-of-waytooncomingdrivers.

PARENTS AND RESIDENTS LEARNING ABOUT THE 6 E’S APPROACH TO PEDESTRIAN & BICYCLIST SAFETY

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regardingpedestrianandbicyclistsafetypriorityandactionablenextsteps.Theworkshopwashostedfrom8:00amto12:00pmwithbreakfast,childcare,andsimultaneousSpanishtranslation,andSpanish-languageworkshopmaterialsprovidedtoencouragecommunityresidentparticipation.Forty(40)individualsattendedtheworkshop,includingparents,communityliaisonsfromeachschoolintheMountainViewSchoolDistrict,andMountainViewSchoolDistrictstaff.TwoofthefivesmallgroupswerefacilitatedentirelyinSpanishduringtheactionplanningsession,andparticipantswereencouragedtocommunicateinthelanguagetheyfeltmostcomfortableinthroughouttheworkshop.

ReflectionsfromWalkability&BikeabilityAssessmentWorkshopparticipantsconductedwalkabilityandbikeabilityassessmentsalongtworoutesheavilyusedbystudents.OneroutetraveledfromKranzIntermediatetoMountainViewHighSchoolalongParkwayDrive,whiletheotherroutetraveledfromKranzIntermediatetoMountainViewParkandbackalongFineviewStreet,MaxsonRoad,andDurfeeAvenue.Participantswereaskedto1)observeinfrastructureconditionsandthebehaviorofallroadusers;2)applystrategieslearnedfromthe6E’spresentationthatcouldhelpovercomeinfrastructuredeficienciesandunsafedriver,pedestrian,andbicyclistbehavioraroundKranzIntermediate;and3)identifypositivecommunityassetsandstrategieswhichcanbebuiltupon.Followingthewalkabilityandbikeabilityassessment,theparticipantssharedthefollowingreflections:

PARTICIPANTS CONDUCTING WALKABILITY ASSESSMENTS

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• InsufficientCrossings&CrosswalkVisibility:TherewaslackofschoolzonemarkingsalongFineviewStreetasparticipantsapproachedParkwayDrive.ParticipantsalsonotedthattherewerenomarkedcrosswalksallowingpeopletocrossfromonesideofParkwayDrivetotheotherfor0.5milesbetweenFineviewStreetandElliotAvenuealongParkwayDrive.Additionally,twoKranzIntermediatestudentswerehitwhilecyclingthroughtheintersectionofElliottAvenueandDurfeeAvenue.

• AccessibilityChallenges&ADAViolations:Treerootshavecreatedlargecracksandupliftedanumberofsidewalks,creatingatrippinghazardandmakingitdifficultandsometimesimpossibletonavigatethesidewalkforpeoplewalkingwithassistivedevices,usingwheelchairs,orpushingstrollers.Inanumberofareas,thesidewalknetworkisincomplete.IncreasedcoordinationwiththeCity’scodeenforcementdepartmentisneededtoaddressovergrownvegetationandADA-non-compliantsidewalksectionswithlightpolesinthemiddleofthesidewalkthatobstructthepedestrian’spath.

• SafetyChallengesalongParkwayDrive:ParticipantsnotedthatthetravellanesonParkwayDriveareverywide.Cornerturningradiiarealsoverywide:duringthewalkabilityassessment,ashuttledriverdidnotslowdownorstopatacorner,comingveryclosetoagroupoftheparticipants.Additionally,although“CelebrateElMonteShuttles”haveroutesonParkwayDrive,thereisalackofbusstopshelters,signage,andotherimprovements.Althoughtherearecurrentlynobicyclefacilities,participantsobservedmultiplecyclistsduringtheassessment.Thewideright-of-wayonParkwayDrivemaymakeiteasiertoplanandimplementphysically-separatedcyclinginfrastructurealongthisroute.

• UnsafeDriverBehaviors:ParticipantsobserveddriversonDurfeeAvenueandalongotherneighborhoodstreetstravelingabovethepostedspeedlimits.Anumberofdriverswerealsoobservedparkedinred“NoParking”zonesandeithertooclosetosomecrosswalksorinthecrosswalkitself.

• SignalTiming&Maintenance:ParticipantswalkingsoutheastalongElliottAvenuewaitedfornearly5minutesforthepedestriancrossingsignaltocrossDurfeeAvenueafterpushingthe

UNSAFE CROSSING BEHAVIOR OBSERVED DURING WALKBILITY ASSESSMENTS

SIDEWALK OBSTRUCTIONS AND OVERGROWN VEGETATION

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pedestrianbutton.Ultimately,thetrafficsignaldidnotchange,sotheyhadtocrosstotheoppositesidetopushthewalksignal.Moreover,whenparticipantsfinallyreceivedthewalksignal,thesignaltimingwastooshorttocompletethecrossinginasafemanner.Additionally,participantsnotedthelackofared“NoParking”zoneinfrontoftheliquorstoreonthesoutheastcorner;atthetimeofthecollision,witnessesobservedthatthesightlineswereblockedbyvehiclesparkedonthecorner.

CommunityResidentRecommendations

Followingthewalkabilityandbikeabilityassessment,CalWalksfacilitatedsmall-groupactionplanningdiscussionsinbothEnglishandSpanish.Workshopparticipantsdiscussedtwosetsofquestions:thefirstfocusedonidentifyingandprioritizinginfrastructureimprovementsforstudentswalkingandbikingtoschoolintheDistrictandthesecondfocusedonidentifyingandprioritizingnon-infrastructureactivitiesthatcouldbeimplementedDistrict-widetoeducateandencouragestudentstowalkandbiketoschoolsafely.Workshopparticipantsprovidedthefollowingrecommendationsforoverallpedestrianandbicyclistsafetyimprovements:InfrastructureConcerns&Priorities

• ImproveSidewalkConditions:Thereisageneralneedtoensurethatsidewalksarelevelandfreefromobstructionslikevegetationandutilitypoles.ParticipantsexpressedadesireforwidersidewalksalongKlingerman,andtocompletethesidewalknetworkbyfillinginthegapsalongRushStreet,BurkettAvenue,ParkwayDrive,andaroundMiramonteSchool.Toincreasevisibilityandsafety,betterpedestrian-scalelightingisneeded,especiallyalongDurfeeAvenue.Participantsalsonotedtheneedforbusstopimprovements—andinsomecasesbusstopsignageindicatingcurrentstops.

• ImproveCrossingConditions:Participantsidentifiedtheneedforwidercrosswalkmarkingstoaccommodatethelargevolumeofchildrenwalkingtoschool,aswellastheneedforhigh-visibilitycrosswalkmarkingsalongDurfeeAvenue,VoorhisSchool,Klingerman,andatallcrossingsadjacenttoschools.Participantsalsovoicedsupportfortheinstallationofpedestriansafetyislands,pedestriancountdowntimers(especiallyonDurfee/Elliot),advancedyieldlines,andbetteraligningcurbrampstodirectpedestriansintomarkedcrosswalks.ParticipantsalsoidentifiedZamoraParkasanideallocationforimplementationofdaylightingatcrosswalks,aswellastheneedforsignalizedcrossingsalongLittleFivePointsandFivePoints.Lastly,participantssupportedtheconstructionofapedestrianbridgeorotherpathtoaccessMadridMiddleSchoolthatavoidsI-10.

• TrafficCalmingtoReduceSpeeds:Participantsrepeatedlyidentifiedhighspeedsasanissuethatneedstobeaddressedthroughtrafficcalminganddesigninordertoimprovesafetyforpeoplewalkingandbiking.Participantsnotedthatthecurrent40MPHspeedlimitofDurfeeAvenueshouldbereconsideredduringanyfutureredesignofthestreet.Participantssupportedtheimplementationofroaddietsandotherstreetcalmingmeasuresinschoolzonesandnotedthattheseareasshouldbere-markedandsignedmoreadequately,especiallyalongGarvey.ParticipantsalsohighlightedtheneedfortheSchoolDistricttoaddressconcernsaroundtheMadridMiddleSchooldrop-offarea.Itwassuggestedthatstudentscanbedroppedoffatanearbylocationandthenshuttledintotheschooltoreducethecartraffic.

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• ImplementPhysically-SeparatedBikeInfrastructure:Participantssupportedtheinstallationofphysically-separatedbikelanes,especiallyalongDurfeeAvenue,inordertohelpstudentstravelingtoMadridMiddleSchool.

Participantsfeltthatinfrastructureimprovementsshouldbeprioritizedthrough1)school-basedwalkabilityandbikeabilityauditstodetermineneedsofeachindividualschooland2)ananalysisoftheareaswiththegreatestnumberofpedestrianandbicyclistcollisions.Non-InfrastructureConcerns&PrioritiesParticipantsalsoidentifiedthefollowingeducationandencouragementprogramsthatcouldbeimplementedbytheMountainViewSchoolDistrictandthecitiesofElMonteandSouthElMonte:

o Organizeparentstoconductwalkauditsaroundallschoolsinthedistrictandcompilethisinformationalongwithpictures,video,andcreateaPowerPointpresentationtopresentataCityCouncilmeeting;

o Hostbikeandwalksafetyclassesandworkshops;o EncouragewalkingviaaWalkingSchoolBusprogram;o Educatestudentsregardingpedestrianandbicyclistsafetyatassemblies;o Hostamandatoryworkshopforallparentsregardingwalkabilityandbikeabilityissues.Someof

theseissuescanbediscussedatBack-to-SchoolNightoratanOpenHouse.Additionally,aneducationalcampaigncanbeconductedthroughannouncements,flyersandcallstothehouse.

o CreateaSafeRoutestoSchoolPlanfortheDistrict;o LeverageLocalControlandAccountabilityfunds(LCAP)tomeetthesafetygoalsofLCAPPlans;o HiremorecrossingguardsespeciallyonDurfeeAvenue/FineviewStreetandTyler

Avenue/FineviewStreet;o Developprizesandincentivestoencouragestudentstofollowtherulesandlearntherules;o Hostacommunityfairand/orcarnivalwithfoodtruckstoeducatethecommunityon

pedestrianandbicyclistsafetyissues;ando Implementabicycleeducationdiversionprograminlieuofticketingstudentsforbicycle-related

infractions.

California Walks/SafeTREC Recommendations

CaliforniaWalksandSafeTRECalsosubmitthefollowingrecommendationsforconsiderationbytheCitiesofElMonteandSouthElMonteandtheMountainViewSchoolDistrict:

• EngageStudentsinEncouragementProjects:Currently,thestreetssurroundingtheschoolareveryuncomfortableandunsafeformanycyclists.AlthoughsidewalkridingisapprovedundersomeconditionsinElMonteandSouthElMonte,studentshavereportedbeingsubjecttoenforcementofsidewalk-ridingviolations.Byprovidingon-road,physically-separatedbicyclinginfrastructure,theCityandSchoolDistrictwillhelpreducetheconfusionwiththelawandconflicts WALL IN STUDENT BICYCLE PARKING AREA THAT COULD BE USED FOR

A MURAL WITH SAFETY MESSAGING

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betweenpeoplewalkingandbikingonthesidewalks.WerecommendthattheSchoolDistrictengagethestudentsinthediscussionstoplanfornewbicyclefacilities,aswellasintheplanningprocessitself.WealsorecommendtheCityandSchoolDistrictcontinuetocollaboratewithcommunitypartners,likeBikeSGV,whohaveestablishedrelationshipswithcommunityyouth.Additionally,werecommendtheCityandSchoolDistrictconsiderengagingstudentsthroughmuralandothergroupprojectstopromotewalkingandbiking:forexample,thewallfacingthebikecorralatKranzIntermediateSchoolwouldbeanidealplaceforastudent-createdmuralcelebratingwalkingandbikingtoschoolandencouragingsafebehaviors,includingwearinghelmets.

• CollaboratewithCommunityPartnerstoStrengthenApplicationstoSecureAdditionalFundingforTransportationPlanning&Implementation:Manynewandexistingsourcesofstateandfederaltransportationfundingforwalkingandbikingprojectsareincreasinglyincludingprioritiesrelatedtocommunityengagementinthetransportationplanninganddecision-makingprocesses.Thestate’sActiveTransportationProgram,forexample,scoresprojectsthatconductmeaningfulandeffectivecommunityoutreachforawalkingorbikingproject,meaningtheseprojectsenabledresidentstoparticipateearlyonduringtheprojectconceptionphaseand/ormadetheplanningprocessopenandaccessiblebyhostingworkshopsormeetingsduringhoursthatsuitedtheresidents,providedtranslationandchildcareservices,andwerehostedinplacesthatwereeasytoaccessbytransit.Formallypartneringwithcommunity-basedorganizationswhohaveestablishedrelationshipswithresidents—eitherbyprovidingdirectfundingforoutreachactivitiesorbypartneringwithanorganizationtohelpscopeorwriteanapplication—canleadtostrengthenedandsuccessfulfundingapplications.

• InstallBikeLanes&CreateSafeBikeRoutestoSchool:ParticipantsandstudentsnotedtheneedforbikelanesalongbusystreetslikeDurfeeAvenue.TheSchoolDistricthasexpressedconcernaboutstudents’safetybikingtoschoolandhaveconsideredbanningbikingtoandfromschoolformiddleschoolstudentsintheDistrict.TheSchoolDistrictandthecitiesofElMonteandSouthElMontehaveanopportunitytocreateanetworkofstreets,possiblythoselesstraveledbycars,likeParkwayDrive,wherestudentscansafelybiketoandfromschool.InterimbikelanescouldbeinstalledalongParkwayDrivebetweenKranzIntermediateandtheHighSchoolasanimmediatenextstep,whileworkingtoidentifyadditionalpossiblestudentbicyclingroutes.Thecontinuedinvolvementofyouthandcommunitypartnersiskeyinidentifyingthepreferredroutestoschoolthatshouldbeprioritizedforbothstudentswhowalkandbiketoschool.

• ImproveSignage,CrosswalksandSidewalksAroundSchools:CaliforniaWalksandSafeTRECsupporttheimprovementofwalkingandcrossingconditions,especiallyaroundschools,throughtheinstallationofimprovedsignage,high-visibilitycrosswalks,andsidewalks.InstallingsidewalksaroundKranzIntermediateSchoolandhigh-visibilitycrosswalksalongDurfeeAvenueshouldbeamongthehighestprioritiesbecauseoftheproximitytonumerousschools.

• StrengthenandBuildPartnerships:TheCitiesofElMonteandSouthElMontehavestrongcommunity-basedorganizationslikeDayOneandBikeSGVwhoarecommittedtoimprovingwalkingandbikingconditions,especiallyforyouth.Bothcitieswouldbenefitgreatlyfromcontinuedpartnershipswiththeseorganizations,whichhavebuiltlong-termrelationshipswithresidents,parents,andyouth.TheMadridMiddleSchoolPark,forexample,isaperfectexampleofthesepartnershipsinaction:theparkwasbuiltinpartnershipwiththecommunity-basedorganizationAmigosdeLosRios.AmigosdeLosRiosisalsoactivelyworkingto

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implementitsEmeraldNecklacevisionfortheSanGabrielValley,whichisanotheropportunityfortheCitiesofElMonteandSouthElMontetopartnerandworktowardasharedvisionforasaferandmorewalkableandbikeablecommunityinbothcities.5

ACKNOWLEDGMENTSWewouldliketothankDayOne,BikeSGV,andtheMountainViewSchoolDistrictforinvitingusintotheircommunityandforhostingtheCommunityPedestrianandBicyclistSafetyTraining.ThankyoutoDavidDiazfromDayOneandGeorgeSchonbornoftheMountainViewSchoolDistrictfortheirfullcommitmenttoandleadershipofcommunity-driventransportationplanningandmeaningfulengagementwithcommunityresidents.Wewouldliketoacknowledgethemanycommunitymemberswhoseattendanceattheworkshopanddedicationtopedestrianandbicyclistsafetymeaningfullyinformedandstrengthenedtheworkshop’soutcomes.FundingfortheCommunityPedestrianandBicyclistSafetyTrainingprogramwasprovidedbyagranttoUniversityofCaliforniaatBerkeleySafeTransportationResearch&EducationCenter(SafeTREC)fromtheCaliforniaOfficeofTrafficSafetythroughtheNationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministration.

5FormoreinformationregardingAmigosdeLosRios,pleasevisithttp://www.amigosdelosrios.org/