A $346,500 grant has been given to Long Beach Health and Human Services to help improve pedestrian safety, create safer streets and lower preventable injuries and deaths caused by collisions with pedestrians and cyclists.
The grant was awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“Enhancing the safety of our streets continues to be a top priority,” said Mayor Rex Richardson in a public statement. “Through this grant, we’re empowering the community to embrace safer practices and working towards a more walkable, bike-friendly Long Beach.”
The grant will fund the Long Beach Health Department’s Walk and Roll Long Beach Program efforts to promote bicycle and pedestrian safety through Sept. 20, 2025
These objectives include:
- 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, such as biking and walking.
- A Youth Safe Streets Ambassador Program to empower 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 in a public statement.
According to Long Beach Health and Human Services, the program reached 2,300 community members over the last year through the following outreach methods:
- 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 OTS Director Barbara Rooney in a public statement. “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 grant marks the eighth year that the City’s Health Department has been awarded an OTS grant for this purpose.
The activities financed by the grant abide by the Health Department’s Strategic Plan targets to lower preventable deaths among local youth and grow the presence of Safe Streets Awareness Week. These goals also follow the goals of the City’s Safe Streets Actions Plan to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries by 2026.
