DPNA convenes “Complete Streets Forum” in response to cyclist’s death

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Complete Streets Advocacy Group is Formed An Action Plan for improving the safety and livability of our streets. On MONDAY, July 1st, the DPNA hosted a coalition of Pasadena organizations to discuss “Complete Streets” and an Action Plan for making Pasadena streets safer and more pleasant. Cyclist killed on Del Mar Blvd

Latest incident in a series of fatalities & injuries.

City Council to consider Bike Plan on July 15th.

Particularly dangerous for Caltech & PCC students & faculty who walk & bike; Pedestrians describe “Del Mar Dash.”

According to the Star News and several blogs, 25-year old cyclist Phillip O’Neill was struck from behind while at Del Mar and Wilson Ave on June 15th, the third bicycle-related death since 2011.

Websites reporting the details:

DPNA convenes “Complete Streets Forum” to take action

Pasadena organizations & neighbors come together to join forces

This meeting was convened in light of the most recent fatal collision on our streets, and the upcoming Pasadena City Meetings on the draft bike plan and other pedestrian/bicycle safety issues. The Department of Transportation delivered a brief presentation on the current plans.Then, we formed discussion groups in the “World Café” format to strategize coalition building.

Organizations participating:

Downtown Pasadena Neighborhood Association (DPNA)

C.I.C.L.E

Caltech Bike Lab

Pasadena City College Bike Club

LA County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC)

Day One

Pasadena Health Department

Pasadena Dept of Transportation

BikeSGV

Arroyo Seco Foundation

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The event was a success!

Blogger John Lloyd had this to say about the event, on his blog Boyonabike:

…there was a consensus that the group needs to organize to make its voice heard by those in power. Several suggested the formation of a bike/pedestrian safety task force to work with the city’s Police Department on enforcement of traffic safety. But it is clear to many in the room there is a desperate need to push the city to improve its infrastructure, and that change will not come by itself. There seemed to be a feeling (that I strongly share) that we need to organize some sort of group to this end. …the tide seems to have turned in Pasadena. …there is a new organization in Pasadena with energy and with a sense of purpose advocating complete streets as part of a livable, sustainable city. The group’s next mission is to develop a series of talking points and make our voices heard at the July 15 City Council meeting. But if real change is going to happen, the group will need to mobilize a wide range of grass roots constituencies in and around the city, develop an effective communication strategy, and organize to put sustained pressure on elected officials. If the group does these things, Pasadena could be poised to be the next great walkable, bikeable city in Southern California.

Read more HERE.

The name of the coalition that John described has yet to be decided, but if you would like to be a part of it, or hear more about it, sign up for email updates at: http://eepurl.com/BH0qL

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What are “Complete Streets?”

This slideshow demonstrates better than any lengthy description:

Read more at the Complete Streets Coalition. Coalition formed to urge implementation of Complete Streets Based on the conversations that took place around the café tables, the following strategy emerged: The advocacy efforts will start on the following dates: Tuesday, July 9th – Municipal Services Committee considers the Bike Plan. 4pm, City Hall council chambers the agenda Monday, July 15th – Pasadena City Council considers a resolution to approve the Bike Plan. City Hall council chambers (checkfor approx time). * * * * * * UPDATE 7/9/2013: * * * * * * The Municipal Services Committee asked the Dept of Transportation to revise the plan and make it considerably more ambitious by adding protected bike lanes! Hooray! Read the full story on the next blog post. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Join the Complete Streets advocates! Sign up at: http://eepurl.com/BH0qL

Petition to improve East-West Bike Routes

CalTech Bike Lab calls on City Council to take action

51% of Caltech students and 30% of faculty walk to work; 20% ride a bike.

Please sign here:

HERE Sign the petition

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ABOUT THE DPNA:

The Downtown Pasadena Neighborhood Association (DPNA) is the voice of the residents of the Central District of Pasadena, California.

We meet monthly on the Third Thursday at 6:30pm in the Gamble Lounge of Pasadena Presbyterian Church at 585 E Colorado Blvd.

The DPNA promotes a walkable urban lifestyle in a city that is vibrant with thriving businesses, excellent arts, good government, and active public spaces.

The DPNA advocates for urban parks, wider sidewalks, pedestrian-biased street design, bike lanes, trees & shrubbery, mixed-use & transit-oriented development, enduring architecture, a streetcar, and other amenities that improve life for residents of an urban city center.

Downtown Pasadena is defined roughly as the 210 freeway (north), Catalina Ave (east), California Blvd (south), and Pasadena Ave (west).

We send out 1-2 emails per month with updates about what we’re doing.

Please add yourself to our contact list by clicking:

That webpage will guide you through the sign-up process.

After typing your info, you’ll receive an email which you’ll have to confirm.

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