Three Recommendations for Safer Streets
It’s been one month since shelter in place started in the Bay Area. Like you, SVBC has been trying to figure out what it all means, how long it will last, and what are the short- and long-term repercussions that we must adjust to. We’ve been closely monitoring what other cities are doing with streets around the world and talking to our friends at cities in our area to understand what’s feasible and more important, appropriate to request during this time. Governments are focused on the public health crisis and that is the number one priority. The shelter in place order has also changed how people are using streets for essential travel and exercise and this has public safety impacts as well.SVBC sent a letter on Friday to every city council and city manager in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties with three recommendations for safer streets while the shelter in place order lasts. We acknowledge that some of these measures may be impossible given that city staff are focused on immediate health needs. Please be respectful of your local governments’ capacity in this difficult time. The recommendations in our letter are (click here to read the full text):
Publicize a reduced speed advisory to 15 mph for residential streets to keep everyone walking and biking safe. More people are walking and biking in their neighborhoods to get exercise and travel to essential services nearby. With less car traffic, people are speeding down roads, endangering those walking and biking. A reduced speed advisory publicized by the city and local police would help raise awareness and lead to fewer crashes and injuries among people and less burden on the healthcare system.
An additional step would be to adjust signal timing to slow vehicle speeds and ensure safety (particularly on long corridors like El Camino Real, Alameda de las Pulgas, etc.).
More space for the increased number of people walking and biking. Our biking and walking networks are insufficient to meet the needs of people getting exercise outdoors and traveling while maintaining six feet of social distance. We recommend identifying streets where bikeways and sidewalks could be expanded, creating quick build or pilot bikeways and sidewalks on streets that have excess vehicle lanes. SVBC is ready to help identify streets and rally volunteers to install signs and barricades to make it work. (Oakland announced April 10 that they would be closing 74 miles/10% of streets to cars – see plan).
Switch the pedestrian phase of traffic signals to be automatic and ensure that bicycles are captured at traffic signals. Adjusting pedestrian signals so pushing a button is no longer needed to cross the street limits the amount of surfaces a person must touch, helping curb the spread of COVID-19. This is simpler for some cities than others depending on how their traffic signal system operates (either a central operating space or having to go out to individual signals). Thank you to San José and Redwood City for already doing this.
How you can get involved
Join the SVBC Local Team in your area to get connected to other advocates in your city and discuss ideas for specific streets or corridors.
Support the bike movement with a generous donation to make sure we can continue to monitor and weigh in on important decisions that may impact road use and safety for years to come.