TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all necessary agreements with the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD), and any required subsequent amendments, to provide "Safe Routes to School" bicycle and pedestrian safety education programs at Long Beach Unified School District elementary and middle schools, and child development center program sites in Long Beach. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In order to provide "Safe Routes to School" bicycle and pedestrian safety education programs at LBUSD elementary and middle schools, and child development center program sites in Long Beach, the City of Long Beach needs to execute an agreement with LBUSD.
The Department of Public Works, Transportation Programs Division, is working with Safe Moves, a non-profit organization, to provide bicycle and pedestrian safety education at the schools. This work is funded through Safe Routes to School (SR2S) grant funding. This project was awarded full funding through SR2S at $500,000, over the course of a two-year period, and does not require the City to provide any local match.
School Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Rodeos are conducted to allow students to learn about safety by walking and bicycling through a miniature city consisting of streets, sidewalks, intersections, crosswalks, traffic signals, traffic signs, residential areas, business districts, cars, trucks, buses, and a railroad track with signals, crossing gate and train. The miniature city is designed to simulate the diverse traffic environments in the City of Long Beach and to create "problem solving" experiences for each grade level. Treadmills and rock climbing walls will also be used to reinforce learning. Treadmills and stationary bicycles are set up for elementary students so they can see how far they can walk or ride in a given amount of time. To convey the physical impact of collisions, middle school students have the opportunity to climb a mobile rock wall while wearing a safety harness, under the supervision of professional staff. The program is designed to demonstrate that a fall from the 20-foot rock wall would have the same impact on their bodies as being struck by a vehicle traveling 20 miles per hour. Many more activities are included for families, children and teens.
Safe Moves is a non-profit organization that is recognized as the leading authority in traffic safety education in the country. Since 1996, it has developed an effective, multifaceted program to reach out and educate elementary and middle school students and parents about pedestrian and bicycle safety. The program also communicates the need for children to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle by safely walking and biking to school.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy Burton on May 11, 2011, and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on May 12, 2011.
SUSTAINABILITY
Over the course of a two-year period, the bicycle and pedestrian safety program will reach 50,000 students and their parents, teaching and encouraging them to walk or ride their bikes to school. Many parents currently drive their children to school, even if it is only a few blocks away, increasing traffic, congestion and emissions. If the program results in even half of these students walking or riding their bike to school one day per week, a reduction of over 1.2 million pounds of CO2 emissions per year would result, improving the environment and the health of our students.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on June 7, 2011 in order to facilitate processing of required documents now required by Long Beach Unified School District to continue to implement the bicycle and pedestrian safety education program.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this program is available through 2012 in the amount of $500,000. Funding is provided through the Caltrans Safe Routes to School Program and is currently budgeted in the General Grants Fund (SR 120) in the Department of Public Works (PW). No local matching funds are required, there is no impact to the General Fund, and no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
MICHAEL P. CONWAY
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER