Vision Zero proposed for San Jose

I had the pleasure of attending San Jose's Rules and Open Government Committee meeting yesterday, during which members of the City Council moved forward a proposal from Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio to formally implement a Vision Zero initiative.SVBC has been advocating for Vision Zero policies throughout our two counties for over three years, so we're thrilled to see support in the Bay Area's biggest city! San Jose would join other large cities like New York and San Francisco in declaring that no loss of life on our roadways is acceptable. In 2015 traffic deaths have exceeded homicides in San Jose. Currently San Mateo is the only city in our two counties that has already adopted a Vision Zero policy. San Jose's consideration follows their acceptance of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Mayors' Challenge for Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety.

Next stop: the City's Transportation and Environment Committee, where more details about a potential Vision Zero program will be rolled into the Department of Transportation's annual Transportation Safety Report. From there, we hope the proposed initiative will go to the full City Council for a vote and inclusion in the next city budget.

Read Councilmember Oliverio's memo here.

Do you want your city to adopt a Vision Zero policy? Start by telling your city council to sign up for the Mayor's Challenge!