Here’s a city planning pop quiz: What do bulbouts, curb extensions, neckdowns, and curb bulges have in common. Give up?

Curb extensions at Calle Real and Junipero

They’re all the same thing, and they all increase safety for pedestrians.  Now that the quiz is over, let’s do some real thinking. Here in Santa Barbara we generally refer to them as curb extensions.

You’ve likely seen them and if you walk around town at all, you’ve probably used one. They’re the extension of the sidewalk at an intersection, reducing street width. Curb extensions are used here and all over the country and serve several purposes to include increasing visibility between drivers and people crossing the street as well as shortening the crosswalk distance, thus limiting the time that pedestrians are actually in the street. Better for walkers and better for drivers.

The Facts
Still there are some people that haven’t been convinced yet and we hear all sorts of myths about why they shouldn’t be used.

Myth: Curb extensions impede the route of bicyclists.
Fact:  Curb extensions are best used in places where on-street parking already exists and thus the extend not further than the width of the parked cars, thus having no negative effect on cyclists.  Furthermore, there’s no risk of a curb extension opening a door into you like there is with vehicles.

Myth: Curb extensions impede the route of motorists.
Fact:  See above for the same reasoning.  Also, it’s unfortunate that we have heard from a few people that they have hit or worry about hitting a curb extension.  If this is the fear, one might argue that these same people are at risk of hitting anything on the road such as parked cars, street signage or even a pedestrian.

Myth: Curb extensions cause congestion.
Fact:  Curb extensions do not impede traffic flow. Because they shorten the crosswalk, it allows pedestrians to clear the

Diagram of a curb extension from the Federal Highway Administration

crosswalk more quickly, thus allowing more time for motorists to pass.

Myth: Curb extensions position a pedestrian in the traffic flow.
Fact:  Curb extensions position walkers no further than a lane of parked cars, but allow them to see and be seen, thus making it safer for motorists and pedestrians.  So often when crossing a street without curb extensions, a pedestrian has to step unprotected into the crosswalk with limited visibility, hoping that a car isn’t approaching from out of sight.  Curb extensions help solve that problem.

Myth: Curb extensions take away parking.
Fact:  Allowing parking all the way to the corner of an intersection is extremely rare and almost obsolete, even in our smaller neighborhoods.  This is a safety issue and eliminating parking up to an intersection allows for increased visibility for all users.

Current Projects with Curb Extensions

Once you’ve crossed a street where curb extensions have been added, it’s hard to understand why we don’t have more of them. For pedestrians and motorists, it’s easier to see and be seen. So shouldn’t it be compulsory that we add them to an intersection that directly feeds two of our schools: Santa Barbara Junior High and High School?

Curb extension at the corner of Milpas and Canon Perdido

A beautiful mixed-use development project proposed at the corner of Milpas and De La Guerra streets (803 N Milpas) is planning on doing just that: decreased number of driveways for pedestrians to cross, directional access ramps and the addition of curb extensions. Think of all the students walking to and from school and the swarm that floods Milpas during lunch. Why wouldn’t we want to increase their safety and others in the area? Unfortunately, this project (originally approved by the Planning Commission on Nov. 5, 2009) was appealed because someone didn’t want the curb extensions even though they are supported by  families

Curb extensions shorten the crosswalk for students at Roosevelt Elementary (Laguna and E Mission St.)

with children, local businesses, school officials, regular cyclists, and those who walk and drive.  But through the efforts of SBW and the community, the curb extensions were upheld at this location.

If you’re still unsure, hit the street for yourself. There are several examples around town: Garden at Arrellaga, Canon Perdido at Quarantina, Chapala at De La Guerra, De La Vina at Quinto to name just a few.

For more information contact Courtney, Director of Santa Barbara Walks,

a project of COAST at Courtney@COAST-SantaBarbara.org or 875.3562.