Long Beach Health Department Awarded Grant to Promote Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety

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PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has been awarded a $346,500 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to focus on improving pedestrian safety, promoting safe streets, and reducing preventable injuries and deaths resulting from collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists.

"Enhancing the safety of our streets continues to be a top priority," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "Through this grant, we're empowering the community to embrace safer practices and working towards a more walkable, bike-friendly Long Beach. We appreciate the Office of Traffic Safety for this grant."

The Health Department's Walk and Roll Long Beach Program will use grant funds to support strategies and activities that promote bicycle and pedestrian safety between Oct. 1, 2024, and Sept. 30, 2025, including:

• Safety pop-up events at busy intersections, where staff will distribute information and reflective gear to pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Interactive community activities for all ages, focused on safely using bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
• Workshops for older adults offering practical tips and strategies for walking safely in their neighborhoods.
• Participation in the City's Beach Streets events to encourage active transportation, including biking and walking.
• A Youth Safe Streets Ambassador Program that empowers young people to advocate for traffic safety.
• Bike and Pedestrian Safety Rodeos to teach safe biking and walking skills through hands-on learning experiences.

"With support from OTS, we're committed to implementing programs that protect cyclists, pedestrians and anyone who shares the road to make Long Beach a safer and healthier place for everyone," said Health Department Director Alison King.

Last year, the program reached 2,300 community members via:

• 11 community events and traffic safety pop-ups.
• Four walking field trips that engaged community members and older adults.
• 11 pedestrian safety presentations and seven courses on bicycle and pedestrian safety.
• The Safe Streets Superheroes program and Long Beach Walk to School Week.
• Distribution and fitting of 250 bicycle helmets, along with providing 11 crossing guard safety kits and 12 walk to school kits.

"Everyone deserves a safe environment to travel, regardless of how people get to places," said California Office of Traffic Safety Director Barbara Rooney. "The safety of people walking and biking on our roads is a high priority. Education plays a pivotal role in creating a strong road safety culture that prioritizes traffic safety, especially for our most vulnerable road users."

This is the eighth year the Health Department has received an OTS grant to promote bike and pedestrian safety. The funded activities are in line with the Health Department's Strategic Plan objectives to decrease preventable deaths and injury among children and youth under 18 years old and to expand activities during Safe Streets Awareness Week to educate drivers on how to safely share the streets with pedestrians and bicyclists. The program's objectives also align with the City's Safe Streets Action Plan to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries by 2026.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. More information about the Long Beach Health Department is available at longbeach.gov/health and on Instagram, Facebook and X.

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