City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: _05/03/11__ Item Number: _A-2__
PRCS COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM:Discussion Regarding Bicycle Safety
Education and Awareness.
Contact Person/Dept.: Dan Hernandez,
PRCS Director
Phone Number: (310) 253-6655
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: (Email) Meetings and Agendas – Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Commission (04/28/11); (Email) Culver City Bicycle Coalition (04/28/11).
Department Approval:Dan Hernandez
(04/27/11).
City Attorney Approval: N/A
Chief Financial Officer Approval: N/A City Manager Approval: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS)
Commissiondiscuss the issue of bicycle safety education and awareness and make
recommendations as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND:
At the April 5, 2011 Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission
meeting during the “Items from Commissioners” portion of the meeting, each of the
Commissioners expressed concerns about bicycle safety both within Culver City
Park, and in general. As noted in the draft meeting minutes (contained in tonight’s
Commission packets), Vice Chair Kim also announced that May is Bicycle Safety
Month. Commissioner Stuart then received consensus to agendize a discussion on
bicycle safety and use in Culver City at this evening’s meeting.
Bicycle Safety Month
For each of the past 52 years, the Department of Transportation, National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has declared May as Bicycle Safety Month.
Proclamations of May as Bicycle Safety Month are also issued by many states, cities
and other governmental bodies/agencies, sometimes as a matter of tradition and
sometimes in response to the urging of bicycle and environmental advocacy groups,
parents, schools, neighborhood groups and bicycle enthusiasts, among others. Bike
to Work Day is always the third Friday in May and Bike to Work Week is the week of
Bike to Work Day.
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
The focus during Bicycle Safety Month is on educating cyclists and motorists as to
the proper and safe operation of bicycles and on promoting greater public
awareness of bicycle operation and safety education in an effort to reduce accidents,
injuries and fatalities.The National Strategies for Advancing Bicycle Safety is a
publication of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, part of the U.S.
Department of Transportation; the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control,
part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and the Federal Highway
Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Briefly, the National
Strategies for Advancing Bicycle Safety are:
Goal #1– Motorists Will Share the Road
Goal #2– Bicyclists Will Ride Safely
Goal #3– Bicyclists Will Wear Helmets
Goal #4– The Legal System Will Support Safe Bicycling
Goal #5 – Roads and Paths Will Safely Accommodate Bicycling
The Culver City Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan
The City Council approved the City of Culver City’s first Bicycle and Pedestrian
Master Plan (BPMP) on November 8, 2010. The creation of the BPMP was a
collaborative effort on the part of the City of Culver City, Alta Planning and Design,
LA County Bicycle Coalition, and the community. It was made possible through a
grant from the LA County Department of Public Health’s Policies for Living, Active
Communities and Environments (PLACE) Program.The approved BPMP is a 137-
page document thatcan be downloaded and viewed at: www.ccwalkbike.org.Chapter
7 of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan titled, Enforcement, Education and
Awareness Programs is provided as an Attachment.
As part of the Culver City Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, the City Council
appointed a Public Advisory Committee (PAC) in coordination with the public
participation process. The PAC was mentioned during the PRCS Commission’s
April 5
th
comments on bicycle safety. Members of the PAC provided input on policy
issues, principles, prioritization, design guidelines and standards, within the overall
content and format of the BPMP. The PAC had 20 members, consisting of
residents, representatives from homeowners groups, business owners or
representatives, community groups, non-profit organizations, and other interested
parties. Because the PAC has completed its work on the BPMP, the group is no
longer active in an official capacity.
DISCUSSION:
This Agenda Item has been prepared to give the PRCS Commission an opportunity
to discuss the issue of bicycle safety education and awareness and make
recommendations as deemed appropriate City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the discussion of this Agenda Item
ATTACHMENT:
Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, Chapter 7: Enforcement, Education and
Awareness Programs.
MOTIONS:
That the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission:
1. Discuss the issue of bicycle safety education and awareness, and;
2. Make recommendations as deemed appropriate.
MEETING DATE: May 3, 2011
AGENDA ITEM:
Discussion Regarding Bicycle Safety Education and
Awareness.
ATTACHMENT
Pages
Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, Chapter 7:
Enforcement, Education and Awareness Programs.
1 - 8
Creating a city that supports and encourages its residents to bicycle and walk involves more than just
infrastructure and amenity improvements. This chapter contains a discussion of enforcement, education &
awareness policies and programs for Culver City.
The programs and policies discussed in this chapter require additional funding for implementation, as they are
supplemental to the current City budget. Furthermore, staff cannot currently support these endeavors, and so
these efforts must happen primarily through volunteers or supported through other means, such as grant
funding. In some cases, these programs may expand the role of City staff if policies and programs fall within
their purview upon implementation. Either current staff may take on more responsibilities or the City must
hire additional staff to address the additional workload.
Motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists alike are sometimes
unaware of each other’s rights as they travel city streets.
Educating the public through enforcement policies will
supplement the physical improvements made in Culver City.
The California Vehicle Code (CVC), as enforced by the
CCPD, protects pedestrians and bicyclists in the public
right-of-way. For a review of Culver City Municipal Code
(CCMC) affecting bicyclists and pedestrians, please refer to
the existing conditions discussion in Chapter 3.
Targeted enforcement action along streets should focus on
areas with high volumes of bicycle, pedestrian, and other non-
motorized traffic (e.g. Downtown, Ballona Creek Bike Path,
East Washington Boulevard and Culver Boulevard Bike Path, etc.). Law enforcement efforts could target
locations where motorists and the public will become aware of bicycle/pedestrian laws and their penalties for
violations.
Culver City may explore with CCPD, local businesses and neighborhood groups opportunities to establish
local Bicycle Patrol Units. Culver City‘s size and topography make many parts of it highly accessible by
bicycle. A Bicycle Patrol Unit could be an official law enforcement unit, a private security guard patrol, or an
expanded volunteer program. Bicycles are an excellent community-policing tool, as the public views officers
on bikes as more approachable, thus improving trust and relations between the citizens and police.
ATTACHMENT
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Bicycle Patrol Units can work closely with citizens to address
concerns before they become problems. Bicycle Patrol Units can
have a direct impact on bicycle safety by enforcing bicycle traffic
laws (e.g. wrong-way riding, sidewalk riding, obeying traffic
controls, children wearing helmets, etc.), and providing bicycle
safety education.
Participants at the second public workshop expressed concern
about high motor vehicle speeds. City staff can work with police to
enforce speed limits on designated streets with bikeways, near
schools, and in response to bicyclist/pedestrian complaints. This
increases safety and may reduce crashes, which improves walking
and bicycling conditions.
Speed Radar Trailers can help reduce speeds traffic and may help
enforce speed limits in areas with speeding problems. Police set up
an unmanned trailer that displays the speed of approaching motorists
along with a speed limit sign. Speed trailers may be effective on
busier arterial roads without bikeway facilities (Washington
Boulevard, Jefferson Boulevard, Overland Avenue, etc.), or near
schools with reported speeding. Speed trailers should be located in a
position that mitigates its influence on bicycle traffic when placed
on the road.
Speed trailers work as both an educational and enforcement tool. By
itself, the unmanned trailer educates motorists about their current
speed in relation to the speed limit. As an alternative enforcement
measure, the CCPD may choose to station an officer near the trailer
to issue citations to motorists exceeding the speed limit. Radar
trailers can transport easily to streets where local residents complain
about speeding problems. However, motorists may not obey the
speed limit without an officer present for enforcement.
Public Works Department staff may provide the management role for
this program, working with the public and determine which
locations are in most need. This program can administer randomly,
cyclically, or as demand necessitates because of the speed trailers‘ portability.
The following section outlines the variety of education programs that can contribute to a bicycle and
pedestrian community.
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School-based bicycle and pedestrian education programs teach students about the
rules of the road, proper use of bicycle equipment, bicycling skills, street crossing
skills, and the benefits of bicycling and walking. These education programs
typically receive support from a joint City/school district committee that includes
appointed parents, teachers, student representatives, administrators, active
bicyclists, CCPD and the Public Works Department. These programs can also
incorporate into a Safe Routes to School Program, which Chapter 8 discusses in
further detail.
Safety handbooks are part of a school-based bicycle and pedestrian safety program.
These handbooks may include a circulation map of the campus and immediate
neighborhood, suggested routes to school, crosswalk and crossing guard locations,
signalized intersection locations, bicycle maintenance and use instructions, helmet
wear instructions, street crossing instructions, and emergency and school numbers.
The City or school district can publish the handbook for use at each school, in
conjunction with a school-specific map.
Parent and neighborhood volunteers can escort children
walking to school together in a ?Walking School Bus? if
parents are uncomfortable allowing their children to
walk or bicycle alone to or from school. Children can join
the ?Walking School Bus? if the home runs along the
route or at designated staging areas. The parents offer
supervision and protection, and the group size makes
the children more visible to traffic. Usually, one parent
acts as the organizer and recruits other parents,
neighbors, seniors or community volunteers to walk
with the children. As in a motor carpool, the
participants need to coordinate schedules and meeting
places. Adults and children can wear safety vests or use
other means to enhance visibility. Sometimes the adult pulls a wagon to carry the children‘s books and
projects.
Certified Safe Routes to School Instructors can train volunteers. Supplemental training materials are available
through the National Safe Routes to School partnership at www.saferoutes.org.
Bike trains work exactly like the Walking School Bus program, but with children on bicycles. Parents and
volunteers should select residential and low-traffic volume streets to get to school if sidewalks cannot
accommodate multiple children.
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Most bicyclists learn to ride when they are children and do not have the opportunity to learn riding skills or
safe road positioning. Adult bike skills training are an excellent way to improve both cyclist confidence and
safety.
The League of American Bicyclists developed a comprehensive bicycle skills curriculum considered the
national standard for adults seeking to improve their on-bike skills. The classes available include basic and
advanced on-road skills, commuting, and driver education. Local League of American Bicyclist Certified
Instructors offer ?StreetSmarts Cycling? classes that teach participants how to operate a bicycle under various
conditions, and about bicyclists‘ rights and responsibilities. There are currently eleven League-Certified
Instructors in the Culver City area. More information on this program is available online at:
www.bikeleague.org/programs/education/courses.php.
Other organizations such as the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC), Cyclists Inciting Change
through Live Exchange (CICLE), and Sustainable Streets provide regular training classes that instruct
individuals on safe bicycle operations.
Motorists have limited education on the rights of bicyclists and pedestrians. Many motorists mistakenly
believe that bicyclists do not have a right to ride in travel lanes, and that bicyclists should ride on sidewalks.
Education about the rights and responsibilities of pedestrians and cyclists can include:
Incorporating bicycle and pedestrian safety into traffic school curriculum
Producing a brochure on bicycle and pedestrian safety and laws for public distribution
Instructing of law enforcement officers on laws that pertain to bicyclists
Providing bicycle and pedestrian awareness training for all City staff who work within the public
right-of-way
Working with contractors, subcontractors and city maintenance and utility crews to ensure they
understand the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians and follow standard procedures when working on
or adjacent to roadways and walkways
Additional resources for a police education course include:
www.bicyclinginfo.org/enforcement/training.cfm
www.massbike.org/police
Awareness and encouragement programs play a critical role in growing bicycling and pedestrian activity in a
city. The programs listed in the following section will help walking and bicycling grow in Culver City.
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One main request from the public is for more motorist education on bicyclists and pedestrians‘ rights to the
road. A Share the Road campaign educates motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians about their legal rights and
responsibilities on the road, and the need for increased courtesy and cooperation among all users.
Share the Road campaigns often hold periodic traffic checkpoints along roadways with concentrated bicycle
and pedestrian activity. Motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians stop at these checkpoints to receive a Share the
Road flyer and can give feedback to officers regarding the campaign. Checkpoints can also occur along local
bikeways and paths. Public service announcements on radio and television can help promote the Share the
Road campaign.
The Marin County Bicycle Coalition offers an example of a successful Share the Road campaign at
www.marinbike.org/Campaigns/ShareTheRoad/Index.shtml.
California Vehicle Code (CVC) §21201 requires bicycles to mount a front white light and red rear reflectors.
Bicycle lights are more visible than reflectors at night. A Bike Light campaign in Culver City could promote
cooperation with the CVC and increase safe riding habits.
The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC) administers a program called ?City Lights? that features
free bicycle lights in conjunction with educational materials. Culver City can tailor this program to fit its
unique needs.
Portland, Oregon developed a ?See and Be Seen? public safety campaign to encourage bicyclists to use lights
and to remind motorists to watch for bikes. Campaign elements included coupons for bike lights and other
reflective gear, and a parade to celebrate bright bikes. More information on Portland‘s program is available at:
www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?&c=deibb&a=bebfjh.
The BPMP aims to support healthier lifestyles by encouraging and enabling bicycling and walking. Obesity
and sedentary lifestyles are on the rise for both adults and children in America, and one way to combat this is
to integrate daily exercise into the American lifestyle.
A Bike-to-Health marketing campaign may include:
Websites with information on getting started, event calendars, advice from health professionals, and
safety information for adults and children
Print ads in community newspapers to increase the exposure of the campaign
Community events and rides. These rides occur during the summer and early fall months.
Participants earn prizes and attain better health through reaching mileage goals. Campaigns
encourage families to bike to better health together.
Providing safe and secure bicycle parking helps encourage individuals to bicycle. Many individuals during the
public input process expressed interest in seeing a ?bike valet? program at Culver City events. San Francisco
passed a city ordinance that requires all major city events to provide bike parking and pioneered an innovative
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tool for stacking hundreds of bicycles without racks
(www.sfbike.org/?valet). Culver City should consider
temporary bicycle parking for events with expected large
attendance and at regularly occurring events like the
Farmer‘s Market.
Community Bikeway/Walkway Adoption programs
resemble the widely instituted Adopt-a-Highway
programs throughout the country. These programs
identify local individuals, organizations, or businesses
interested in ?adopting? a bikeway, walkway, or shared-
use path. ?Adopting? a facility means that person or
group is responsible for the facility‘s maintenance, either through direct action or funding the City‘s
maintenance of that facility. For example, members of a local recreation group may volunteer every other
weekend to sweep a bikeway and identify larger maintenance needs. Alternatively, a local bike shop may
adopt a bikeway by providing funding for the maintenance costs. Some adopted bikeways post sponsors‘
names on bikeway signs to display their commitment to bicycling.
A multi-modal access guide provides information on accessing specific destinations using bicycling, walking
and public transit. Simple access guides are maps printed on the back as a business card, or while complex
guides can be multi-page packets distributed to employees. Items commonly included in access guides are:
An area map depicting bus stops, recommended walking and bicycling routes, landmarks, facilities
such as restrooms and drinking fountains, bicycle and vehicle parking, and major roads
Information on transit service, including frequency, fares, accepted payment methods, first and last
runs, schedules, and contact information for transit service providers and taxis
Information on walk or bike travel time from a transit center to a destination
Accessibility information for people with disabilities
Wayfinding and local advertisements
Best practices include using graphics, providing specific step-by-step travel directions, providing parking
location and pricing information, and providing information about the benefits of walking and bicycling.
High quality access guides should be concise and accurate, and incorporate input from key stakeholders
including public transportation operators, public officials, public and private employees, guide distributors,
and those with disabilities.
First implemented in Bogota, Colombia, the Ciclovia is a community event based around a street closure.
Ciclovias provide local recreational and business opportunities for the community and are increasingly
popular citywide events. Ciclovias can combine with other popular community events to promote walking
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and bicycling as a form of viable transportation. The
public workshops discussed Ciclovias several times and
participants requested holding Ciclovias during the
public input process.
Ideally, Ciclovias should provide access to civic, cultural,
or commercial destinations. Culver Boulevard may be an
ideal candidate for a Ciclovia.
More information is available at:
www.healthystreets.org/pages/sunday_parkways.htm
Community walks and tours are healthy ways to promote
historical and cultural aspects of the City. Groups that
can organize community tours include Culver City staff, neighborhood organizations, schools, and other
groups that want the public to interact with the physical environment. Community walks and bike tours are
effective tools for examining potential improvements to the physical environment and educating participants
on resources/amenities available within the City.
Discussed earlier in this Plan, Culver City should develop
a uniform signage concept and plan for on/off-street
bikeways and pedestrian corridors. The Plan should
include uniform sign design(s), placement guidelines
(where and how often), and a map of proposed bikeways
and corridors to receive signage, and guides on avoiding
places too many signs or ?sign clutter.?
Culver City can support individuals choosing to make
non-motorized trips within Culver City by advertising
routes and destinations to bicyclists and pedestrians.
Signage posted along bikeways and pedestrian corridors
should advertise linkages to popular destinations, and be in harmony with other Culver City signage
standards. Sign placement should be strategic and thoughtful to have the greatest impact and to avoid the
?clutter? of over-signing.
The Ballona Creek Bike Path is a valuable public resource. Many Culver City residents‘ expressed concern
about the Path‘s safety. Path volunteers are one way to improve Path safety. These trained volunteers would
station at access points or ride along the path in a non-enforcement role, providing information to the public.
Path volunteers could station at access points during peak-use, typically weekends and holidays.
The goals of the Path volunteers should include:
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Educating users on sharing the Path
Providing information on Path resources in the
area
Maintaining proper Path conditions by
informing responsible agencies of hazards
Acting as a crime deterrent by observing Path
activity
Toronto‘s Trail Ambassadors program provides
helpful information for developing this program:
www.toronto.ca/cycling/ratsa/index.htm.
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