REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve Budget Modification No. 19 to Appropriate $60,000 of California Office of Traffic Safety Grant Funds for Selective Traffic Enforcement Program - Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety
Report
GRANT SUMMARY
In September 2014, the City Manager accepted California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) grant funds in the amount of $60,000 to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) for bicycle and pedestrian safety.
Beginning in 2012, DPS' Bureau of Patrol Services, Division of Traffic Safety identified bicycle and pedestrian safety as an area of focus. OTS statistics showed bicycle and pedestrian accidents ranked only second to driving under the influence (DUI) arrests in Sunnyvale. DPS wants to ensure the safety of its residents as they participate in new cycling and walking programs like Safe Routes to Schools, Communities Putting Prevention to Work Obesity Reduction Initiatives, and even Bicycle Parties. All of these programs promote and encourage Sunnyvale's citizens of all ages to "get moving" by bicycle and as pedestrians. DPS applauds these efforts and initiatives; however, the increase in pedestrians and bicyclists requires increased community policing efforts. These efforts are a multi-faceted, holistic approach to reducing motor on pedestrian and motor on bicycle collisions in Sunnyvale. The approach includes:
* Increased educational outreach to middle and elementary students and parents.
* Distributing bicycle helmets to identified low-income students/schools.
* Facilitation of two bicycle rodeos, which are bicycle skills events that provide an opportunity for children to practice and develop skills that will help them become better bicyclists and avoid typical collisions.
* Increased saturation patrols at identified areas and times to coincide with DUI checkpoints.
* Participation in Avoid the 13 saturation patrols, distracted driving campaigns, and back-to-school events. Saturation patrols are a type of targ...
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