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PROJECTS

ONGOING PROJECTS
• • Pace Car • • Bicycle Traffic School • •
Ride n' Stride Safety Program

 

Register to be a pace car driver and "sign" the Pace Car Pledge. You will receive your sticker in the mail along with a Pace Car Driver ID good for discounts at many local businesses.

Online Registration for Pace Car Program

Pace Car Program
This program focuses on slowing traffic in neighborhoods and on local streets to make streets safer for children, pedestrians and bicyclists. Pace car volunteers sign a pledge to drive within the speed limit, stop for pedestrians, drive courteously, and display a Pace Car Sticker on their vehicles. Pace car drivers act as "mobile speed bumps," slowing the flow of traffic behind them. The more Pace car drivers in a neighborhood the better it works.

Bicycle Traffic School
The Bicycle Traffic School Program is a coordinated program involving law enforcement, the traffic court and the education services of Santa Cruz County’s cycling community to identify and educate cyclists at risk. Bicyclists that are given tickets for traffic violations would have the option of attending a class on how to safely use a bicycle in traffic in lieu of paying the moving violation fine.

Bicycle Traffic School Eligibility and Registration Information:
A court order to attend Bicycle Traffic School must be granted by the Traffic Court Judge. You may only attend Bicycle Traffic School once instead of paying a fine. Registration forms for the class will be provided by the court clerk. The registration form explains how to sign up and pay the $35 non-refundable fee. Registraion and payment must be done within 30 days from the date the court order was given. Class registration confirmation will not be given without full payment. You then have 60 days from the sign up date to complete the class. Classes are held monthly. For more information, please call 454-7551.

Ride n' Stride Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program
Through this program, elementary school children participate in safe walking and biking workshops conducted at schools throughout the county. Available in both English and Spanish, the presentations cover helmet use, traffic rules and safe crossing. . For more information, contact Kithy Chavez at 454-4317.

During the school year of 2006-2007, 4,036 (2,377 of which were in south county) students received bike and pedestrian safety presentations. Random pre and post-tests show a 26% increase in knowledge.


CURRENT PROJECTS
• • Office of Traffic Safety Grant • • South County Bike and Pedestrian Work Group • • Safe Routes to School • • Share the Road• • Construction Safety Guidelines • •


South County Bike and Pedestrian Work Group
The work group implements activities that address the unique strengths and needs of south county. Projects include:

• Hang a bilingual "Share the Road" banner across Main St. in Watsonville in the Fall
• Participate in a community events by distributing traffic safety educational materials
• Support the Bike to Work/School effort in South County
• Conduct Walkability Survey as needed
• Distribute Public Service Announcements about pedestrian safety

Safe Routes to School
This program, supported by the Coalition since 1999, is aimed at increasing safe walking and bicycling to school. Safe Routes to School gives children the opportunity to be more active, decreasing the risk of obesity in children.

Maps have been created in North County for:

• Bay View Elementary
• Westlake Elementary (Bicycle)
• Westlake Elementary (Pedestrian)
• DeLaveaga Elementary
• Del Mar Elementary

In South County maps have been created for:
• Mintie White Elementary
• MacQuiddy Elementary
• Ann Soldo Elementary

Upcoming Safe Routes to School activities may include:

• Identification of safe bike and pedestrian routes
• Advocacy for improvements
• Parent education and outreach
• Organizing walk pools, bike pools or walking school buses
• Promote parent bicycle helmet use
• Participating in Walk a Child to School Day

Trying to cross some intersections in Santa Cruz safely can be a challenge.

Share the Road Campaign


Construction Site Safety
In 2000, the Community Traffic Safety Coalition developed recommended guidelines to protect the safety of bicyclists, pedestrians, and disabled travelers during road construction (PDF version below). Since 2006, the Coalition has been working on a project to ensure the the guidelines are being used by construction safety managers by working with construction companies, public works departments and the media.

Construction Safety Guidelines (PDF file)

The complete Community Traffic Safety Work Plan for 2008/2010 (PDF file).

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