Thank you to everyone for their hard work on this important measure.

Dr. Pucher’s presentation was followed by a panel discussion with Grant House (Santa Barbara City Council Member), Janet Wolf (County Board of Supervisors) and Michael Chiacos (Community Environmental Council).  The panelists provided opinions of what Santa Barbara has been doing to accommodate non-motorized transport as well as candid impressions of where we as a community have been lacking.

When Michael Chiacos asked John Pucher, “What should we do first, what are the low hanging fruit?” John said a sound education system teaching the youth how to walk and bike safely was the most important.  He followed this by indicating that having the infrastructure to support pedestrians and bicyclists (well-connected sidewalks, bike paths and bike lanes, etc.) was second to educating the youth.

The Forum was quite a success and we received positive feedback from many of the roughly 50 people that attended.

If you missed it, Santa Barbara City TV is showing the recording on their site. Visit www.citytv18.com/ to see the Forum on the following dates and times.
Tuesday, Nov. 25th, 9:00 am
Sunday, Nov 30th, 12:00 pm

In addition you can download the PDF version of John’s PowerPoint presentation here.

November events of interest…

What: Plan SB at City Council
When: December 11th, 9:30 am -12:30 pm and December 16th, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Where: City Hall, Council Chambers, 735 Anacapa Street
The Plan SB team is presenting draft policies and gathering feedback from the City Council.  Visit www.youplansb.org for more info.

Something we missed? Email Courtney to let us know of other related community events.

California Passes Complete Streets Law
Major Victory for National Complete Streets Movement

Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law on September 30th Assembly Bill 1358 (pdf), the California Complete Streets Act of 2008 authored by Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco).

The new law requires cities and counties to include complete streets policies as part of their general plans so that roadways are designed to safely accommodate all users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, transit riders, children, older people, and disabled people, as well as motorists.

“Streets aren’t just for cars, they’re for people and with the Complete Streets Act local governments will plan for and build roadways that are safe and convenient for everyone- young or old, riding a bike or on foot, in a car or on a bus,” said Assemblyman Leno.  “Getting people out of their cars and riding bicycles or the bus improves public health, air quality, eases congestion and reduces greenhouse emissions.”
Introduced in 2007 and cosponsored by the California Bicycle Coalition and AARP California, the bill passed the Senate on August 27, with the Assembly concurring with the Senate’s amendments on August 29.  The new law will complement an existing policy, which directs Caltrans to “fully consider the needs of non-motorized travelers (including pedestrians, bicyclists and persons with disabilities) in all programming, planning, maintenance, construction, operations and project development activities and products.”  Furthermore, by enacting this law, the State of California continues its groundbreaking commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

To date, more than 70 jurisdictions have adopted complete streets measures, and many others are considering them.  In addition to California, five other states have complete streets legislation.

Beginning January 2011, any substantive revision of the circulation element in the general plan of a California local government will include complete streets provisions.

“California has taken a big step forward in helping make sure that streets are designed so that anyone can travel safely, whether by foot, bicycle, bus or car,” said David P. Sloane, AARP Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy.  “More people are leaving their cars at home and walking since the gas crisis.  They need their streets to be user friendly.  AARP commends Governor Schwarzenegger and the California legislature for their foresight in adopting Complete Streets.”

Groups supporting complete streets have formed the National Complete Streets Coalition, with active participation from groups representing older persons, transit users, pedestrians, bicyclists, and disabled people, as well as smart growth proponents and professional organizations such as the American Planning Association and the Institute of Transportation Engineers.  For more information, visit www.completestreets.org or call 202-207-3355.

Complete Streets Act of 2008 (S. 2686)
(March 2008)

A Senate bill was introduced in March by Senator Tom Harkin (and a House bill will be introduced very soon by Congresswoman Doris Matsui) that seeks to ensure that ALL street users, including walkers, bikers and transit users will be considered in the design and construction of future transportation projects. But your help is needed to build support for both of these bills!

Our streets should be for everyone to safely use, whatever their mode of transportation. These Bills seek to ensure that the 1/3 of the population that does not drive is represented when transportation investment decisions are made.

Complete streets have a variety of benefits. They can:

• increase pedestrian safety
• reduce traffic congestion by providing alternative modes of transit
• induce healthier lifestyles (for adults AND kids) as more people get out of their cars and onto the streets
• improve air quality as more sustainable transportation methods are used

Contact our Senators to let them know you support this Bill!

Safe and Complete Streets Act of 2008
Rep. Matsui Introduces Complete Streets Bill in US House;
Sen. Coleman signs on in Senate (May 2008)

Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA), took an important step for safer, better designed streets today by introducing the Safe and Complete Streets Act of 2008 into the US House. The bill would make sure that roads built and improved with federal funds safely serve everyone using the roadway – including pedestrians, people on bicycles or those catching the bus, as well as those with disabilities.

“Once again, gas prices have hit record highs this week. As American families continue to feel the pain at the pump due to the skyrocketing costs of gasoline, they are driving less and less,” said Rep. Matsui. “By diversifying our roadways, we can provide real alternatives to travel by car.”

Meanwhile, Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) signed on this week as first Republican co-sponsor of the Senate version of the bill, S2686, the Complete Streets Act of 2008, introduced a few weeks ago by Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Thomas Carper (D-DE). This is the first time that comprehensive complete streets bills have been introduced in the House and Senate.

“We commend Rep. Matsui and Senators Coleman, Harkin, and Carper for recognizing the importance of making the best investment possible with our federal transportation dollars,” said Barbara McCann, Coordinator of the National Complete Streets Coalition. “States and cities across the country have discovered that completing their streets for all users means safer communities that invite healthy walking, bicycling, and taking transit – and that can help people cope with the rising price of gasoline.”

Across the country, many transportation agencies have continued to design many roads primarily for drivers – discouraging bicycling and leaving those on foot tramping through a track worn in the grass. Yet men and women outlive their driving years by six and ten years respectively and prefer to walk rather than be stuck at home. Transit users often face dangerous crossings and uncomfortable waits, while people who use wheelchairs or have vision impairments often cannot venture out at all due to a lack of sidewalks and curb ramps. And surveys show Americans of all ages and income levels want safe places to walk and ride bicycles, and public health officials says such activity is an essential component of fighting the obesity epidemic.

Complete Streets policies require transportation planners to take the needs of all users into account in all upcoming transportation projects – so the road network can be gradually improved for everyone. Oregon, Virginia, Illinois, California, and Massachusetts are among the states that have adopted complete streets policies or laws; dozens of counties, regional transportation agencies, and cities and regions have also adopted the policies in the last few years, including Ms. Matsui’s home jurisdiction of Sacramento, as well as Seattle, Chicago, and Salt Lake City.

The National Complete Streets Coalition includes AARP, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the American Planning Association, Smart Growth America, America Bikes, and many other organizations. For more information, visit www.completestreeets.org.

The Safe and Complete Streets Act is supported by:
AARP, America Bikes, America Walks, American Planning Association, American Public Transportation Association, American Society of Landscape Architects, Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals, Bikes Belong, Breathe California, California Park and Recreation Society, California WIC Association, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Easter Seals, Friends of the Earth, League of American Bicyclists, Local Government Commission, National Center for Bicycling and Walking, National Recreation and Parks Association, Prevention Institute, Reconnecting America, Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates, Safe Kids Greater Sacramento, Safe Routes to School National Partnership, Smart Growth America, Strategic Alliance for Healthy Food and Activity Environments, Surface Transportation Policy Partnership, Thunderhead Alliance, Transportation Alliance, Transportation Equity Network, Transport Worker’s Union, Transportation and Land Use Coalition, Trust for America’s Health, WALKSacramento, YMCA of the USA

]]> http://coast-santabarbara.org/2008/04/pedestrians-on-the-hill/feed/ http://coast-santabarbara.org/2008/04/we-want-to-hear-from-you/ http://coast-santabarbara.org/2008/04/we-want-to-hear-from-you/#comments Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:07:26 +0000 admin http://coast-santabarbara.org/blogs/?p=94 Are there places you find challenging to navigate safely on your walk? Any particularly unsafe or hazardous places in your neighborhood? We need to hear from you!

Please e-mail Courtney to share your ideas and concerns!

We welcome Courtney Dietz as our project director for Santa Barbara Walks. Courtney holds a Masters degree in Environmental Science and Management from the Donald Bren School at UCSB. She brings to the job a lot of energy and a true passion for our planet and a sustainable human footprint.

You may reach Courtney at Courtney@coast-santabarbara.org.

About $3.1 million in state grant money has been approved for a pilot program to buy and operate vans for safely transporting hundreds of Santa Maria Valley farmworkers to and from the fields each day.

That grant of Ag Worker Transportation Funding, the largest of five doled out statewide by Caltrans Thursday, will be used over the next 30 months to buy a total of 31 vans in several phases, beginning early next year, said Matt Dobberteen, alternative transportation manager for the county Public Works Department.

“We’re absolutely thrilled,” he said Friday, that all the grant money sought for the startup program was awarded by the state.

Daily operation of the van pools will be overseen by the Santa Maria Organization of Transportation Helpers (SMOOTH).

The program will be closely patterned after one that has been successfully operating in Kings County for more than five years.

“I’m pleased to say ours was the largest of five grants given out” by Caltrans, which totaled just under $10 million, Dobberteen added. “The state is extremely excited to work with us, and is pleased with our efforts” in launching the program with nine, used vans purchased last month from Kings County.

Money for those vehicles was allocated in late October by the county Board of Supervisors, from $150,000 previously set aside by the county and Santa Maria city.

Farmworkers using the van pools will be each charged between $3 and $6 per day, depending on how far they ride. Drivers won’t have to pay the fares, but otherwise won’t be paid.

To qualify as drivers, they must have to have valid licenses, be insurable, pass a physical exam and clear a DMV check of their 10-year driving history.

Dobberteen said some of the used vans are expected to be in operation by the end of this month. The first batch of new vans probably will be purchased by spring.

Advocates, who have repeatedly urged such a program for more than two years, contend it will reduce the number of farmworkers being driven to and from work by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, often in unsafe vehicles.

The supervisors unanimously agreed to fund the program through June 2008, but will hear a report on its operation prior to that before deciding whether to extend it through June 2010, when the state grant expires.

Anyone interested in being one of the vanpool drivers is encouraged to call the project manager for SMOOTH, Rosemary Luque, at 922-8476.

Chuck Schultz can be reached at 925-2691, Ext. 2241, or at cschultz@santamariatimes.com. Senior Staff Writer Malia Spencer contributed to this story.

December 15, 2007

December 11, 2007 Session

Friday morning representatives from the City of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, and Santa Barbara County Association of Governments proposed On-TRAC: “A Plan of Transit/Rail Action for Commuters” to the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) receiving overwhelming support for the plan. The VCTC Executive Director, Ginger Gherardi had invited the Santa Barbara delegation to present On-TRAC after hearing about it at a Santa Barbara City Council meeting.

“If there ever was a time for a unified government on transportation solutions, the time is now,” said Councilmember Roger Horton of the City. City Councilmembers Horton and Grant House presented the On-TRAC plan that proposes implementing early start commuter service between Ventura and Santa Barbara by adjusting the times of existing Amtrak trains to reflect commute times. On-TRAC also calls for improvements to the existing 1920’s style rail line with more double track and electronic switching to improve passenger train and freight service through the corridor. The On-TRAC plan received unanimous approval from the City Council of Santa Barbara just three weeks ago.

“This is a cost effective way of moving commuter rail forward sooner,” said Jim Kemp, the Executive Director of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments. He also recognized VCTC for partnering with Santa Barbara on key elements of future widening on Highway 101. Jeremy Tittle, representing 1st District Supervisor Salud Carbajal said that “we are committed to a long-term commuter rail solution, but see On-TRAC as the first step.

The VCTC members overwhelmingly supported its staff recommendation to endorse Santa Barbara’s plan. Many of the commissioners spoke in favor of On-TRAC and the need for commuter rail expansion to Santa Barbara County. Commissioner Keith Millhouse (Mayor Protem, City of Moorpark) said that On-TRAC is a beginning to eventually getting a higher quality commuter rail service, such as Metro Link, to Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. Ventura County Supervisor Steve Bennett thanked the Santa Barbara team for coming down and welcomed future partnerships. Assembly member Pedro Nava, who also spoke in favor of On-TRAC, offered his office as a resource to promote commuter rail efforts.