City of San JoseThe City of San José Department of Transportation is the recipient of a $110,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) that will prioritize the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians.

“All traffic fatalities are tragedies, and when the victim is walking, riding a bike, or has mobility challenges it is even more appalling,” said John Ristow, City of San José Director of Transportation. “With the OTS funding, we are able to spread awareness of unsafe behaviors, teach street safety, provide protective equipment, and hear the lived experiences and local knowledge that can help our department identify solutions.”

“Our roads are increasingly riskier for people who walk or ride their bike,” OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. “The goal of this funding is to reverse the growing trend of bicyclist and pedestrian-involved crashes by educating the public on safe road behaviors.”

Grant funds will pay for a comprehensive safety program that will teach valuable skills for all types of road users:

  • Education workshops geared toward youth and older adults.
  • Education on the importance of safety equipment that improves visibility such as reflective armbands, bicycle headlights and taillights.
  • Community walks and bicycle safety courses.
  • Bicycle helmet inspections.
  • Distribution of bicycle helmets to those in need following education presentations.

The grant program will run through September 2022.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

About the City of San José
With more than one million residents, San José is one of the most diverse large cities in the United States and is Northern California’s largest city and the 10th largest city in the nation. San José’s transformation into a global innovation center has resulted in one of the largest concentrations of technology companies and expertise in the world. In 2011, the City adopted Envision San José 2040, a long-term growth plan that sets forth a vision and a comprehensive road map to guide the City’s anticipated growth through the year 2040.

About the Department of Transportation
The San José Department of Transportation (DOT) plans, develops, operates, and maintains transportation facilities, services, and related systems that contribute to the livability and economic health of the city.  Our goal is to provide a transportation system that is safe, efficient, and convenient for all modes of transportation, and which supports San José’s livability and economic vitality.