Setting out: Residents of East San Jose’s Tropicana-Lanai neighborhood and city officials prepare to head out for a recent walk audit of King Road, to identify traffic safety and walkability challenges following a recent fatality and a history of issues.

In a powerful display of community engagement and collaboration in East San Jose, 20 members of the Tropicana-Lanai neighborhood association came together to conduct a recent walk audit of safety issues along King Road.

A walk audit is an assessment of a street, intersection or neighborhood’s safety and walkability. Joined by transportation planners and City Council District 5 representatives, this group’s mission was to advocate for safer streets in their neighborhood. The King Road Complete Street Plan is set to transform this corridor into a safer, more accessible space, addressing the long-standing issue of road safety in the area.

The initiative started after an infant was killed along King Road this past summer, when a driver struck a mother and two children crossing the street.

A community comes together to improve street safety

For many years, King Road has been a Vision Zero corridor, marked by numerous tragic fatalities. Neighbors were shocked and devastated to see yet another life taken by traffic. Residents around the area, led by neighborhood association president Victoria Partida, recognize the urgent need for change as they experience challenges navigating the roads to enter their neighborhood on a daily basis. Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition activists saw a need to support residents through involvement in the process of the Complete Street Plan process, including a walk audit.

“The walk audit allowed city planners who are making the plans to actually see the community which they are planning for,” said Victoria Partida.

*Tropicana-Lanai neighborhood residents gather to plan their involvement in improving traffic safety.*

During a neighborhood association meeting interested community members signed up to attend a house meeting, held at the home of a neighborhood association volunteer. At the house meeting, neighbors and SVBC staff talked about strategies for safe and complete streets and they discussed the best ways to improve safety on King Road. This conversation was in preparation for the walk audit, which took place on Tuesday, Sept. 26.

The walk audit started at the intersection between Ocala Avenue and King Road. neighbors walked together along King Road toward Story Road. Together, these efforts show the community's commitment to making their neighborhood safer for all.

*Aerial view of walk-audit route, along King Road between Story Road and Ocala Avenue. The audit identified safety issues including a lack of high-visibility crossings. (Apple Maps image)*

During the audit, the community identified a critical issue: there are no high visibility crossings within the half-mile stretch. This hazardous condition poses a significant danger to pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike. It was a stark reminder of the challenges that residents face daily when navigating their own neighborhood. The findings underscored the importance of the King Road Complete Street Plan in addressing such critical safety concerns.

The most remarkable aspect of this walk audit is the spirit of civic engagement it has ignited within the community. The residents who gathered are not merely passive observers; they are active participants in the transformation of their neighborhood. By collaborating with transportation planners and elected representatives, they are ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are prioritized in the development of the King Road Complete Street Plan.

Their dedication to making their neighborhood safer will undoubtedly have a lasting impact, not only on the safety of their streets but on the spirit of community engagement as a whole. This initiative reminds us that when we engage the individuals most affected by transportation plans, we can create safer, more inclusive, and more vibrant communities for all.

The Department of Transportation will be gathering feedback for the King Road Complete Streets Plan in the upcoming months. To learn more and to provide input visit the website linked here.