Jeremy is the Director of Development and Partnerships for Circulate San Diego. He is responsible for growing Circulate’s successful corporate membership program and manages the organization’s value-oriented philanthropic giving, individual giving, major gifts, planned giving, special events, foundation grants, and sponsorships.
Jeremy has worked as a political organizer and nonprofit fundraiser for over eleven years. From 2015- 2019 he was the Major Gift Officer at the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties and from 2020 to 2021 he was the Community Resource Development Manager at the San Diego LGBT Community Center.
He is an active community volunteer, sitting on the Stewardship and Investment Ministry at Mission Hills United Church of Christ and a board member of the San Diego Coalition for Reproductive Justice.
Jeremy received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Mary Washington, in Virginia, and his Master's in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego.
When he’s not working, you’ll find him reading in Balboa Park, visiting the San Diego Zoo, or hiking and biking across Southern California.
Jeremy Bloom's activity stream
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Join us for the 2024 Momentum Awards
Save the Date!
Circulate San Diego’s Momentum Awards recognize the people and projects in the San Diego region that are creating excellent mobility choices and vibrant, healthy neighborhoods.
Nominations Open July 2024:
Circulate San Diego’s Momentum Awards recognize the people and projects in the San Diego region that are creating excellent mobility choices and vibrant, healthy neighborhoods. Check out the 2023 nominees and award winners. Award winners will be announced at the Momentum Awards on November 15th.
Sponsorships are available:
We want to recognize companies and organizations that are making San Diego a better place to live, work, and move around. Sponsorships are available for companies and organizations that want to support our work and secure visibility at the event. Check out all the Momentum Awards Sponsorship Benefits or contact Jeremy Bloom, Circulate's Chief Operating and Development Officer, [email protected].
WhenNovember 15, 2024 at 5:30pm$120.00 USD ·Where -
Jeremy Bloom published Letter: Support for Senate Bill 689 – Bicycle facilities on our Coast in Policy Letters 2024-01-08 10:52:06 -0800
Letter: Support for Senate Bill 689 – Bicycle facilities on our Coast
Circulate submitted a letter of support for SB 689, which will reduce unnecessary delays in the development of bike lanes along California’s coastline. To accomplish this, SB 689 will no longer require traffic studies to convert a travel lane to a bike lane and provide that these bike lanes qualify to be processed as a ‘de minimis’ LCP amendment. Read the full letter here.
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2023 Year-End Briefing
As we close out the year we want to celebrate some incredible wins and let you know how we are setting the agenda for land use and transportation policy in the region in 2024.
Individual and Corporate Members fuel Circulate San Diego’s work to advocate for safe streets, improved transit, and better land use policy. With your support we are making San Diego a better place to live, work, and move around.
If you've already renewed your support for 2024, we sincerely thank you. If not, now is the ideal time to recommit to our shared goals of fast transit, safe streets, and more housing. Corporate Membership renewals receive a 10% Discount through December 31st. Check our our Corporate Membership and Individual Membership pages for more details.
Together in 2023 we made San Diego a better place to live, work, and move around. Here’s a few highlights:
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- Enhanced Street Safety for All Ages.This year, our planning team engaged hundreds of young people and older adults in discussions on safe biking and walking. We collaborated with organizations like Father Joe’s Village and the San Diego Unified School District for transit, biking, and walking field trips.
Advocated for Community Plans that Grow the Economy. At the start of 2023, we released our report: Making the Most of the Mid-Coast Trolley. At a cost of $2.2 billion, the Mid-Coast Trolley Extension is the largest single transit investment in San Diego’s history. The report offers practical solutions for how the region can get the most “bang for its buck” from its investment in the Mid-Coast Trolley Extension. These solutions would allow more homes and jobs near the trolley, and improve connectivity via bus, bicycle, and walking – to the benefit of the entire region.
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- Expanded Safer Streets Initiatives in North County.We launched two North County Projects this year; the Safer Streets Together Campaign with the City of Carlsbad and Coastal Rail Trail Project with City of Oceanside. Both projects highlight the investments these two Cities are making in pedestrian and cyclist safety.
- Working across Southern California.We have expanded our planning efforts over the past few years to encompass the entire Southern California Region. Through Circulate Planning, we have collaborated with the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) to enhance the built environment for residents.
- Made it Easier to Pay for Transit Trips. We need to make paying for transit convenient and fast. This year we wrote a detailed letter outlining recommendations for how the PRONTO payment system can be improved. Pronto should be upgraded to include easy fare payment options that will benefit current transit riders and improve access to potential riders.
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- Conducted Citywide Walk Audits. The planning team conducted walk audits across San Diego. Like this walk audit surrounding the Nobel Drive Transit Station that KPBS covered in: “Walk Audit finds problems for pedestrians and bicyclists near the Nobel Drive trolley station.”
- Legislative Triumph - Moderate-Income Density Bonus Law. In October, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Circulate sponsored bill AB1287 into law. Authored by Assemblymember David Alvarez, this legislation encourages the construction of new homes for middle-income families, a significant accomplishment with far-reaching benefits.
We have some big projects coming up in 2023.
You can support this work by renewing and increasing your membership, joining as a report or campaign sponsor, and sponsoring our annual Momentum Awards. Here are a few of our top priorities:
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- Towards A Better Coastal Zone. Over-regulation in the California Coastal Zone often prevents or delays housing on the coast. This frustrates the goals of recent California housing and transportation reforms, as well as the original inclusive goals of the Coastal Act. In early 2024, Circulate San Diego publish a report to spotlight practices in coastal jurisdictions that hinder recent statewide reform objectives. The report will highlight specific instances where the objectives of recent legislation have been frustrated, increasing exclusivity in the Coastal Zone rather than enhancing access in keeping with the mission of the Coastal Act.
- Vision Zero in 2024. In the City of San Diego, too many pedestrians, scooter riders, and bicyclists are dying on our streets. While the City has committed to “Vision Zero,” a pledge to end all traffic fatalities and serious injuries, progress has faced backlash and has slowed. In 2024, we will publish a report to reignite the urgency and provide concrete solutions to prevent traffic fatalities. Recent data shows a resurgence in traffic collisions both locally and nationally, resulting in nearly 300 fatalities in 2021.
- Transit to the Airport.Circulate San Diego has championed a rail connection between Downtown and the Airport for years. In 2023, we successfully got the Airport and SANDAG to incorporate our recommendations, and to move this project forward. A rail connection between the Downtown and the Airport would improve the ability of both passengers and workers to use transit to access the Airport. It is increasingly common for American cities to enjoy a rail connection to their main Airport, and San Diego should not be left behind. In 2024 we will see this fully realized.
- Promoting Equitable Communities.Leveraging the insights from our "Making the Most of The Mid-Coast Trolley" report, we will champion regional policies that foster expansive land use and transportation practices. Whether influencing Community Plan revisions, working to pass much needed state legislation, or shaping regional transit choices, Circulate will draw upon its proven track record of translating research and innovative ideas into impactful policy changes to bolster housing affordability and enhance public transit through effective advocacy.
- Strengthening Street Safety Engagement. In 2024, our planning team is expanding our efforts to engage more folks in street safety. With long standing partners, like the Office of Traffic Safety and the County of San Diego, along with new partners like the City of Chula Vista and SDSU we will offer e-bike rodeos, demonstration projects, safe routes to school plans, and much more.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR CORPORATE MEMBERS
Their support allows Circulate San Diego to go “above and beyond” to advance our mission to create excellent mobility choices and vibrant, healthy neighborhoods.
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Taking Action for Safer Streets
Dear Mayor Todd Gloria and San Diego City Councilmembers,
Our City’s commitment to Vision Zero in 2015 was a crucial first step towards halting the senseless and preventable deaths and injuries that afflict our streets. Every year, hundreds of our fellow residents fall victim to the devastating consequences of traffic violence, underscoring the critical importance of your commitment.
Acknowledging the challenges ahead, we understand the significant effort and financial commitment required to reduce traffic injuries and ultimately eliminate all traffic fatalities. The time for action is now.
We urgently call on you to allocate sufficient resources in San Diego’s budget to facilitate the following critical initiatives:
- Fix the Fatal 15: Prioritize solutions for the 15 most dangerous intersections in our city. Targeted improvements at these locations will contribute significantly to reducing the risk of accidents and saving lives.
- Protect Bikeways: Add safety measures to 75 miles of bikeways during upcoming slurry and Capital Improvement Projects. Ensuring the safety of cyclists not only promotes alternative, sustainable transportation but also safeguards the well-being of our community.
- Implement Complete Streets: Swiftly adopt San Diego’s updated Complete Streets policy, aligning with national best practices as outlined by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO). This involves updating the City’s Street Design Manual to reflect NACTO’s four major design guides.
As you make critical decisions about the budget, we urge you to prioritize street safety and the preservation of lives. I know we can’t improve every street, but let’s fix the most dangerous ones, and let’s start now.
The costs, both in financial terms and human lives, are too significant to overlook. We urge you to collaborate with your colleagues and City staff to implement Vision Zero swiftly, thereby initiating life-saving measures in San Diego this year.
Thank you for your dedication to Vision Zero. Together, let’s make our streets safer and save lives in San Diego.
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Jeremy Bloom published Taking Action for Safer Streets: Join Us in Honoring Traffic Victims in Blog 2023-11-21 10:51:43 -0800
Taking Action for Safer Streets: Join Us in Honoring Traffic Victims
Last Friday, Circulate San Diego joined Families for Safe Streets San Diego to host San Diego’s second annual World Day of Remembrance Candlelight Vigil. We gathered to honor the 283 victims of traffic violence in 2022.
At the vigil, Laura Keenan, founder of Families for Safe Streets San Diego, shared a powerful moment standing next to her late husband Matt's shattered bicycle. She mourned his loss, and told the gathered crowd of how her three-year-old son will grow up without father. Other family members of those killed, Nancy Cavanaugh, Scott Moore, and Steve Shinn also spoke of how their lives have been forever changed by the preventable deaths of those they love.
We can stop the violence!
It's time to put an end to this violence, and we are urging the City of San Diego to implement three specific, cost-effective solutions that can save lives:
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- Fix the Fatal 15: Prioritize solutions for the 15 most dangerous intersections.
- Protect Bikeways: Add safety measures to 75 miles of bikeways during upcoming projects.
- Implement Complete Streets: Rapidly adopt San Diego’s updated Complete Streets policy, aligning with national best practices.
Read Circulate's full City of San Diego budget ask.
- The media has taken notice, with coverage from ABC 10, Union Tribune, Fox5, and KPBS. During the vigil a number of elected officials offered their support of our efforts, including Congressman Scott Peters, San Diego City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera, and San Diego City Councilmembers Joe LaCava, Stephen Whitburn, and Raul Campillo. Watch the full vigil.
Let Mayor Gloria and City Councilmembers know you support safer streets!
Thank you, standing with Circulate San Diego, your continued support is vital in sustaining our crucial advocacy for making San Diego a safer place to live, work, and move around.
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Jeremy Bloom published Check out the 2023 Momentum Award Photos! in Blog Posts 2023-10-03 10:20:20 -0700
Check out the 2023 Momentum Award Photos!
Check out all the photos from our 2023 Momentum Awards!
It was wonderful to come together, in person, for our 2023 Momentum Awards and celebrate the people and projects in the San Diego region that are creating excellent mobility choices and vibrant, healthy neighborhoods.
We want to thank everyone who attended, including our generous corporate sponsors. This night definitely could not have been as successful as it was without you.
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Jeremy Bloom published Did you see AG Bonta at the Momentum Awards!? in Blog Posts 2023-09-26 14:42:36 -0700
Did you see AG Bonta at the Momentum Awards!?
Last week, at the 2023 Momentum Awards we honored the people and projects making San Diego a better place to live, work, and move around. Our honorees included Attorney General Rob Bonta as one of our 2023 Walk-the-Walk Awardees!
As California’s Attorney General, Rob Bonta, deserves our praise and thanks for his unwavering commitment to enforcing state housing law and his significant investment in holding cities accountable for their actions. With his guidance, the Housing Strike Force within the Department of Justice, has played a pivotal role in advancing housing access across our state. Through his dedication to protecting pro-housing legislation he has ensured the rights and interests of all Californians.
Special Assistant Attorney General for Housing, Alex Fisch, joined us at the event and accepted the award on behalf of the Attorney General.
It was a great night celebrating all the folks who have joined Circulate to create excellent mobility choices and vibrant, healthy neighborhoods. From agency plans and projects making our streets safer for pedestrians and bikers, to transit oriented housing developments connecting people from their homes to their jobs.
Imagine a San Diego where all people have safe, affordable housing and participate meaningfully in the economy. Where diverse, inclusive communities connect seamlessly, and our region thrives.
Donate today, and join us to ensure this vision becomes a reality.
Congrats to all of this year’s Momentum Award nominees and winners.
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Jeremy Bloom published PRESS RELEASE: CIRCULATE SAN DIEGO ANNOUNCES 2023 MOMENTUM AWARD WINNERS in Press Room 2023-09-22 06:39:49 -0700
PRESS RELEASE:CIRCULATE SAN DIEGO ANNOUNCES 2023 MOMENTUM AWARD WINNERS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 22, 2023
Contact: Colin Parent
619-567-6856 | [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE:CIRCULATE SAN DIEGO ANNOUNCES 2023 MOMENTUM AWARD WINNERS
San Diego, September 22, 2023— Circulate San Diego, a local nonprofit organization, recognized outstanding individuals and public agencies at its annual Momentum Awards event held last night. The event, which took place at the San Diego National History Museum in Balboa Park, brought together over 350 attendees, including regional elected officials, representatives from SANDAG, MTS, and professionals from the transportation and land use sectors.
The Momentum Awards spotlighted and celebrated the accomplishments of leaders who have made significant contributions to enhancing public transit, improving street safety, and fostering sustainable growth throughout San Diego County.
Colin Parent, CEO and General Counsel of Circulate San Diego, expressed pride in acknowledging the exceptional awardees. He said, "Circulate San Diego was proud to recognize so many great projects and individuals in San Diego. We are grateful that so many people came out to celebrate our region’s progress."
The awards ceremony featured the presentation of six community-nominated awards and the Walk-The-Walk Award. The Walk-The-Walk Award is given to local and statewide leaders who are actively advancing mobility choices and sustainable growth. This year's honorees included Attorney General Rob Bonta, Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins, and environmental justice advocate Diane Takvorian.
During his acceptance speech, Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized his commitment to addressing California's housing crisis. "I share this award with my team at California DOJ, particularly our housing justice team. They're the folks who ensure we don't just talk the talk. They make it possible for us to put words into action, for us to move forward on the path of progress. With an estimated 172,000 people struggling with homelessness in California, more than in any state in the country, the work we're doing to address the housing crisis and to ensure every Californian has a place to call home is critical."
In presenting this year's Walk the Walk Award, City of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, expressed gratitude for the partnership and advocacy of community leaders and organizations like Circulate San Diego, acknowledging their pivotal role in advocating for affordable housing, improving the public transit system, and enhancing street safety.
The event featured pre-recorded remarks from Attorney General Rob Bonta, which are now accessible online.
All award winners are listed below. Photos from the event are attached to this release.
2023 Momentum Award Winners
Safe Streets and Vision Zero Award
Winner #1: Brian Pepin, Poway City Councilmember - Councilmember Brian Pepin, elected to the Poway City Council in November 2022, has been the Council's chief advocate for increased walkability and bikeability in the face of a vehicle-centric mindset prevalent in this suburban community. During his short time on the Council, the Councilmember has championed a forward-thinking approach to transportation and road safety that is changing the conversation at Poway's City Hall. Despite experiencing pushback from some of his council colleagues, he has organized neighborhood leaders and garnered additional community support to encourage Vision Zero efforts, raise awareness of unsafe activities, and change behaviors. His commitment to this cause is helping to shift the narrative from a car-centric mindset to one that prioritizes the safety and well-being of all road users.
Winner #2: Safer Streets Together (City of Carlsbad) - The City of Carlsbad's "Safer Streets Together" initiative is a model of proactive, community-driven road safety efforts. Faced with a 233% increase in bike and e-bike collisions from 2019 to 2022. Tragedy struck with two fatalities in a 10-day span, prompting the city to declare a traffic safety emergency in August 2022, allocating $2 million for a comprehensive plan focusing on education, engineering, and enforcement. Carlsbad's approach is distinguished by its data-driven strategy, identifying collision hotspots and initiating projects to improve bike lanes, intersections, and lane restriping. Through a partnership with the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition and Circulate San Diego a robust community engagement campaign was developed, with thousands taking the Safer Streets Together pledge. Within six months, the initiative achieved a remarkable 19% reduction in injury collisions across all modes.
Public Transit Connectivity Award
Winner #1: RideFACTNow - RideFACTNow significantly improves mobility and accessibility for individuals with disabilities in San Diego County. As a Nonprofit FACT addresses the critical gap in accessible transportation, allowing those who are often underserved due to the lack of wheelchair-accessible vehicles access reliable and sustainable transportation options. This initiative stands out for its commitment to breaking down transportation barriers and fostering equity by providing on-demand accessible services. With funding from SANDAG and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), RideFACTNow is creating essential connections to community resources, medical services, and various opportunities.
Winner #2: Marisa Mangan (SANDAG) -Marisa Mangan, as a Senior Regional Planner at SANDAG, embodies a passion for innovative solutions and a commitment to transforming San Diego County's transportation landscape. With over 12 years of experience at SANDAG, her work on many pivotal projects demonstrates her exceptional creativity and thoughtfulness. Marisa's ability to work within the system while pushing for positive change sets her apart. Marisa's impactful contributions to progressive transportation planning at SANDAG, coupled with her collaborative spirit and commitment to sustainable commuting practices, make her a standout in the region. Her work sets a high standard for the industry, reflecting the transformative potential of innovative transportation planning.
Sustainable Growth Award
Winner: UC Pro Housing Campaign (OTTA United) - Our Time to Act United’s is a youth-driven organization dedicated to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. They believe in the power of youth engagement in decision-making processes and emphasize its positive impact on both young people and the wider community. OTTA United focuses on addressing issues disproportionately affecting youth, amplifying their voices, and tackling their unique challenges. Their UC Pro Housing Campaign centers on empowering youth in areas traditionally dominated by adults, creating innovative pathways to elevate the next generation of leaders. Their efforts to collect student testimonials and comments, presented to the City Council, helps showcase an often-missing voice in land use policy making. By actively campaigning for housing in the University Community Plan Update, addressing the housing and climate crises. Their advocacy for high-density, mixed-use housing and transit benefits the communities around the UCSD Blue Line Trolley extension.
Innovation Award
Winner: La Semilla (Casa Familiar) - La Semilla, "The Seed," is an environmental justice initiative that embodies sustainability and community empowerment. Nestled in San Ysidro, it serves as a groundbreaking climate resiliency research center and pilot project. San Ysidro faces air quality challenges, with residents experiencing a 30% higher incidence of asthma due to border traffic. La Semilla's design, shaped in collaboration with the community, showcases climate-resilient, affordable, and low-maintenance construction techniques and urban farming methods. Placing this initiative in an underserved neighborhood sets an example for sustainable development and empowers residents to advocate for similar projects. La Semilla is privately funded and fully accessible to the San Ysidro community. As a project of the nonprofit Casa Familiar, La Semilla brings together an excellent team, including: from landscape architects at McCullough, civil engineers at Latitude 33, structural engineers at KPFF San Diego, lighting engineers at Introba Lighting and Noctiluca Lighting, and architects at Workshop B Architects, Inc.
Public Voice Award
Winner: MacKenzie Elmer (Voice of San Diego) - MacKenzie Elmer, an environment and energy reporter at Voice of San Diego, excels in investigative journalism with expertise in climate science and policy. Her work delves into the intricate connections between environmental issues, energy policies, transportation and their impact on San Diego. In 2022, Elmer's reporting drew attention to transportation affordability and accessibility issues in San Diego. Her articles, such as "San Diegans Say, If the Bus Were Faster, I'd Ride It" and "MTS Is Losing Money Because of its Pronto Pay System," illuminated the challenges faced by San Diegans in using public transit and the factors influencing their choices. Through her reporting, she emphasizes the need for improved bus transit speed and service quality to encourage greater public transportation usage. Elmer's work amplifies the voices of transit riders and advocates, holding decision-makers accountable and shaping public policy discussions. Her reporting also underscores the economic, environmental, and social implications of transportation choices, fostering a broader understanding of the societal benefits of investing in efficient public transportation systems.
Advocate Award
Winner: Terrence Morrissey - In February 2022, Terrence acted to address the issue of high-speed traffic in Altadena. He collaborated with city council staff, inviting them to witness the problem firsthand. Terrence's vision for San Diego centers on creating vibrant, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods where everyone can navigate streets without fear. Over a year of relentless effort, Terrence remained steadfast, ensuring the successful installation of traffic calming measures. Though his community engagement efforts he motivated city authorities to act. Earlier this year, his hard work paid off - speed humps were installed, a monumental achievement for a community that had waited for over 25 years. Terrence's exceptional leadership was instrumental in this success. Without his dedication, this accomplishment would have remained elusive, underscoring his invaluable contribution to the neighborhood and its residents. His passion and determination continue to serve as a beacon for creating safer, more pedestrian-friendly communities.
Walk the Walk Awards
Winner #1: Diane Takvorian - Through her leadership as Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Environmental Health Coalition Diane Takvorian has long centered her core values of environmental and social justice to make our bi-national region a better place to live, work, and move around. Working with diverse community stakeholders she has led efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, advocate for affordable public transit, and empower communities to make our built environment more equitable. Through your dedication and service on numerous international, national, state, and regional advisory boards you have ensured the voices all Californians are heard.
Winner #2: Senator Toni Atkins - From City Hall, to her leadership in both the Assembly and Senate, Senator Toni Atkins has been a crucial leader in ensuring we meet our statewide housing crisis head on. As you have often stated, “Housing is the most critical issue facing California.” Senator Atkins has attacked this issue through authoring and championing our state’s most significant pro-housing bills. Like, Senate Bill 2 – the Building Homes and Jobs Act –creating a permanent source of funding for affordable housing, and Senate Bill 9, the California Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency (HOME) Act, which widens access to housing for California’s working families and provides homeowners with more options to create intergenerational wealth. We commend you for making housing one of your top priorities. Through your dedication to protecting pro-housing legislation you have ensured the rights and interests of all Californians.
Winner #3: Attorney General Bonta - As California’s Attorney General, Rob Bonta, deserve our praise and thanks for his unwavering commitment to enforcing state housing law and your significant investment in holding cities accountable for their actions. With his guidance, the Housing Strike Force within the Department of Justice, has played a pivotal role in advancing housing access across our state. AG Bonta’s unprecedented passion for enforcing state housing law has led to the implementation of transformational policies that promote equity and inclusivity, ultimately fostering a healthier and stronger California. Like me, he has made housing one of his top priorities and for empowering the Housing Accountability Unit to effectively address housing issues. Through your dedication to protecting pro-housing legislation you have ensured the rights and interests of all Californians.
About Circulate San Diego
Circulate San Diego is a regional nonprofit think tank dedicated to advancing mobility andmaking the region a better place to move, work, learn and play. Our work focuses oncreating great mobility choices, more walkable and bikeable neighborhoods, and land uses thatpromote sustainable growth. For more information, go towww.circulatesd.org.###
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Jeremy Bloom published Families for Safe Streets San Diego in Public Policy 2023-09-18 15:28:58 -0700
Families for Safe Streets San Diego
Families for Safe Streets San Diego
Mission:
Families for Safe Streets San Diego is a group of families who have lost loved ones to traffic crashes or been affected ourselves. Through our stories and advocacy, we seek physical improvements on our streets, policy changes and the rapid implementation of Vision Zero.
We envision communities where people who walk, roll, bike and drive can safely co-exist and children and adults can travel freely without risk of harm - where no traffic death is acceptable.
We meet monthly to support each other and advocate for safer streets that likely would have saved our loved ones, or prevented injuries, as a meaningful way to channel our grief and honor our loved ones. Join us as we seek to prevent any more families from losing their loved ones or suffering life altering injuries due to traffic crashes.
About:
FSSSD is proud to be one of over 20 chapters across the United States. We partner very closely with the national Families for Safe Streets movement.
FSSSD is an independent and self-governing group and is fiscally sponsored by Circulate San Diego.
Our Work:
FSSSD has been active in Vision Zero campaigns in San Diego. This work includes sharing stories at city council meetings, press conferences, and community meetings in order to humanize the need for change. We also volunteer at events and participate in our monthly meetings to plan, strategize and support each other.
Our work is also posted in the blog.
Resources:
Families for Safe Streets Brochure
News About Families for Safe Streets San Diego
Memorial for cyclist killed in Mission Valley destroyed. ABC 10, January 9, 2024
Bike memorial dedicated to San Diego father destroyed over the weekend in Mission Valley. CBS 8, January 9, 2024
Traffic violence kills hundreds of San Diegans a year. Here’s how speed cameras could help. - Families for Safe Streets San Diego Co-Founder Laura Keenan. San Diego Union Tribune, Sept 19, 2023
Is Vision Zero working? Pedestrian and bicycle deaths spike despite San Diego's efforts to zero them out. CBS San Diego, May 5, 2023
Make San Diego Streets Safer. Fox San Diego, April 13, 2023
Traffic safety campaign launches with posters at intersections where people died. SDnews.com, April 7, 2023
Bicyclists call on San Diego lawmakers to address traffic collision deaths with fatal crash signs. Fox San Diego, March 20, 2023
State bill looking at possible weight fees for SUVs, trucks and other vehicles. Fox San Diego, March 3, 2023
Woman calls for accountability after driver kills husband in crash. ABC San Diego, February 24, 2023
Opinion: I know my brother would be alive today if San Diego had had more protected bike lanes. San Diego Union Tribune, February 21, 2023
Widow pushes for stiffer penalties on bike deaths. CBS San Diego, February 17, 2023
The Fight for Protected Bike Lanes in San Diego. San Diego Magazine, December 2022
On World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, we’ll remember my husband and too many others. San Diego Union Tribune, November 17, 2022
294 people died in traffic accidents in San Diego County in 2021. CBS San Diego, November 19, 2022
Somber display will honor San Diegans killed on roadways. KPBS, November 18, 2022
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Jeremy Bloom published PRESS RELEASE - Nominees Announced for Circulate San Diego’s 2023 Momentum Awards in Press Room 2023-08-09 10:53:28 -0700
PRESS RELEASE - Nominees Announced for Circulate San Diego’s 2023 Momentum Awards
PRESS RELEASE – August 9, 2023
Contact:Jeremy Bloom, Director of Development and Partnerships
619-841-2258 | [email protected]PRESS RELEASE - Nominees Announced for Circulate San Diego’s 2023 Momentum Awards
SAN DIEGO (August 9, 2023) – Circulate San Diego announced today the 2022 nominees for their annual Momentum Awards. The nominees are listed below.
Circulate San Diego’s Momentum Awards recognize the people and projects in the San Diego region that are creating excellent mobility choices and vibrant, healthy neighborhoods.
The 2023 Momentum Awards is back at the San Diego Natural History Museum on September 21st, at 5:30 p.m. Registration and event details are online at http://www.circulatesd.org/awards2023.
All nominees are listed below. Award winners will be announced at the Momentum Awards on September 21st.
2023 MOMENTUM AWARD NOMINEES
Advocate AwardThe Arc of San Diego
Chloé Lauer
Terrence Morrissey
Keala Rusher
Madison ColemanInnovation Award
San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center
San Diego Mobility Evaluation Tool (SDMET) - City of San Diego, Sustainability & Mobility Department
East-West Corridors Project Emergency Bikeway Resurfacing and Restriping - City of Carlsbad
Airport’s Clean Transportation Plan - San Diego County Regional Airport Authority
La Semilla - Casa Familiar
Build Better SD: Imagine Public Spaces - City of San Diego’s Planning DepartmentPublic Transit Connectivity Award
Park Boulevard Bus Lane and Bikeway Project - City of San Diego
Transit Fiscal Bailout Campaign - SPUR and Cal Transit
RideSD
RideFACTNow - Full Access and Coordinated Transportation (FACT)
Marisa ManganPublic Voice Award
Ezra Klein – The New York Times
MacKenzie Elmer - Voice of San Diego
Brian White, Dorian Hargrove - CBS 8
Freeway Exit Podcast by Andrew Bowen - KPBSSafe Streets and Vision Zero Award
Safe Streets Budget Advocacy - Families for Safe Streets San Diego
Eric Henson
Landis Bikeway - San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)
El Portal Pedestrian Undercrossing Project, City of Encinitas - City of Encinitas, in partnership with SANDAG and NCTD
Walk n Roll SD
Brian Pepin, Poway City Councilmember
Campo Road Corridor Revitalization Specific Plan - County of San Diego, Planning & Development Services
City of Carlsbad Safer Streets Together - City of Carlsbad
Safety City - American Medical Response, The California Paramedic Foundation and EPIC MedicsSustainable Growth Award
Cortez Hill Apartments – Community Housing Works2022 Land Development Code Update: New Definition of Sustainable Development Area (SDA)- City of San Diego - Planning Department
Sasan Apartments - Nakhshab Development Design
Convoy Parking District - Convoy District Partnership
City Heights Revitalization Project - Price Philanthropies and Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation
OTTA United’s UC Pro Housing Campaign
SR 86 Multimodal Improvement Project - City of Imperial###
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2023 Bike Month
Are you ready to gear up for Bike Month?
From getting to your destination and staying active, to tackling climate disruption, there are countless reasons to hop on your bike. And let's not forget the best part - it's fun!
Don't miss out on the exciting events hosted by Circulate and our partners throughout the month.
Join us and thousands of San Diegans for Bike Anywhere Day on May 18th! Swing by the Fashion Valley pitstop hosted by Circulate and Rick Engineering. We will be celebrating at the Pacific Beach Bike Month Party on May 20th. RSVP for the Walk Audit we'll be conducting during the event.
With these choices, we can create a healthier, cleaner and more equitable San Diego for all. Imagine a future where all residents have safe, affordable housing, and are able to participate meaningfully in the economy. This is possible, and our Members are helping to make it happen.
Plus, if you become a member, purchase your Momentum Awards ticket or donate to us during May and tag us in a photo of you biking or taking transit, and you could win some amazing Circulate Swag!
Join us in keeping San Diego moving forward this Bike Month. Let's make a difference, together.
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Jeremy Bloom published Join Circulate & help make our parks more accessible in Blog Posts 2023-04-05 11:08:31 -0700
Join Circulate & help make our parks more accessible
At Circulate, we believe transportation and land use policies should work for everyone, not just some.
As the regional leader in planning initiatives, we strive to amplify the voices of neglected groups in conventional community engagement efforts, such as transit users, seniors, youth, and other marginalized populations.
A glaring problem in San Diego is the distribution of public green spaces. Individuals of Latinx heritage and low-income residents have a staggering 55% less access to parks compared to their wealthier, white counterparts.
What little green space is available in these neighborhoods is often largely inaccessible, particularly by those traveling without a car.
Drawing on our extensive expertise in transit and mobility, the team at Circulate plays a crucial role in conducting assessments alongside community groups. Through walk audits, surveys, and face-to-face community dialogues, we document mobility barriers and opportunities. In our efforts to shed light on these barriers we are currently operating across the San Diego Promise Zone evaluating the concerns surrounding transportation infrastructure, public green space accessibility, and health equity.
Let’s continue to work for safer streets in the region.
Since the early days of our organization, Circulate Planners have worked across the region on initiatives to highlight inequities and propose solutions. By harnessing our planning skills, we are able to pinpoint potential quick-build treatments and draft city placemaking permit applications that enable swift action to be taken!
Your financial support helps us to expand this work.
Together we are making San Diego a better place to live, work, and move around.
Along with your financial contribution, join our green space initiative by completing our survey and sharing it with your network. -
Jeremy Bloom published Circulate San Diego wants to help your smart growth project get entitled and built. in Blog Posts 2023-03-24 11:47:15 -0700
Help your smart growth project get entitled and built.
Circulate San Diego wants to help your smart growth project get entitled and built.
The Circulate Mobility Certification provides recognition and support for transit-oriented, smart growth projects in the San Diego region.
Circulate Mobility Certification projects receive:
- Formal Letter of Certification - A formal letter of certification that can be provided to elected officials, community groups, and decision-makers that demonstrates the independent recognition of the sustainable, transit-oriented, and smart growth characteristics of the project.
- Use of Mobility Certification Seal - Permission to use the Mobility Certification Seal on websites or any other forms of communication signifying the certification.
- Publicity - Publicity and marketing through press releases, website summaries, social media, and recognition at Circulate San Diego events and in the Circulator newsletter. See our prior press releases here.
- Public testimony - Independent testimony at public hearings of decision-making bodies (i.e., planning commission, design review, or city council) by Circulate San Diego staff, explaining the certification program and the basis for certification.
To find out more information, or to download an application, visit http://circulatesd.org/certified.
Recent Certified Projects:
- Riverwalk San Diego, a 4,300-unit project in Mission Valley proposed by Hines. The project will restore river habitat, and establish a vibrant live-work-play neighborhood in San Diego—all accessible by trolley. The San Diego Union Tribune highlighted Circulate’s support in their article on the project, “The $3B, 195-acre Riverwalk project is ready for its final review.”
- Keeler Court Apartments, 71-unit affordable apartment community in the Southcrest neighborhood of San Diego by Community HousingWorks. This project earned the certification because it provides sustainable transportation improvements to further the community plan goals, which will promote a healthier lifestyle for all residents in the Southcrest community.
- Ballpark Storage, a 611-unit downtown apartment building by Cresleigh Homes. The San Diego Union Tribune in highlighting the project, references Circulate’s support and testimony. Circulate’s support was also mentioned by NBC 7’s coverage. The project was unanimously approved by the planning commission.
Testimonials:
“The Circulate Mobility Certification is an independent and respected certification that confirmed with the Vista City Council the high standard CHW will design and build, consistent with the City’s vision.”
- Mary Jane Jagodzinski, Vice President
Development for Community HousingWorks
“Circulate’s Mobility Certification authenticates our decision to create middle income housing in an urban location and substantiates smart growth principles to help San Diego achieve its climate action goals. Cresleigh endorses Circulate’s work to promote better transit and smart land use in San Diego”.
- Jeremy Lui, Director of Development
Cresleigh Homes
If you have a smart growth project in the development pipeline, we’d like to help. To find out more about the program, visit our website at http://circulatesd.org/certified.
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Jeremy Bloom donated 2024-04-10 15:29:56 -0700
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Jeremy Bloom published Circulate Nominated 2023 CREATE THE FUTURE Award in Blog Posts 2023-02-08 13:34:41 -0800
Circulate Nominated 2023 CREATE THE FUTURE Award
Circulate San Diego Nominated for Downtown Partnership CREATE THE FUTURE Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award is presented to a company or organization in recognition of their active steps to build a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable climate within their organization and/or community.
We are honored to have been nominated for a 2023 Downtown Partnership CREATE THE FUTURE Award in recognition of our Multi-Modal Campaign in partnership with Father Joe's Village. Our aim was to remove transportation barriers for underserved residents of downtown, with the goal of creating a more inclusive, vibrant, and interconnected community.
We understood that a lack of confidence and familiarity, combined with inaccessibility and anxiety, often prevent people from exploring their neighborhood to its full potential. In the fall of 2022, Circulate San Diego joined forces with residents of the newly established Saint Teresa of Calcutta Villa affordable housing community and other Father Joe's residents to take advantage of the various modes of transportation available to downtown residents.
Over a period of three months, we led residents on transit, walking, scooter, and bike field trips to downtown destinations, Coronado beach, and shopping centers in Mission Valley and South Bay. Our organization's mission is to promote mobility choices and create vibrant, healthy neighborhoods, and this campaign aimed to reduce the dependence on cars and provide residents with the knowledge to access multi-modal travel options.
Our transit field trips aimed to educate new and potential users about transit services, reducing anxiety and safety concerns associated with unfamiliar trips. This education included information on ticket purchasing, senior or disabled fare qualifications, trip planning, and a comprehensive overview of transit routes, among other topics. Our walking, biking, and scooter trips provided an opportunity for residents to see dedicated infrastructure, learn about sharing the road with other roadway users, and understand the general rules of the road. The field trips were carefully tailored to meet the specific needs of each resident.
Congratulations to all all the nominees.
To learn more about our extensive planning work, check out all of our Planning Services.
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Jeremy Bloom published Board Member Spotlight Sarah Buchanan in Blog Posts 2023-01-17 12:55:32 -0800
Board Member Spotlight Sarah Buchanan
Board Spotlight: Sarah Buchanan
Employer
San Diego Housing Federation
Job Title
Executive Vice President
Years of Board Service
1
Tell us a bit about yourself
Sarah Buchanan has over 15 years of experience navigating deadlines, orchestrating complex event schedules, and developing strong and lasting relationships with colleagues, donors, and elected officials. In her work as Director of Philanthropy and Marketing for MFRG-ICON Construction, she is able to showcase her knowledge of service, fund management, and social impact.
An adept problem solver, Sarah possesses the ability to quickly change course and acclimate seamlessly to new environments and responsibilities. She is able to see the big picture without losing sight of the details and excels at translating our members’ creative needs into action. Working with the CEOs, Presidents, and Vice Presidents of organizations such as the San Diego Housing Federation, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM), and Creative Group, Inc. her role played a large part in keeping the companies on track during hectic times.
Awarded San Diego Metro’s Woman of Influence and 40 Under 40 in 2020, and a finalist for San Diego Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in 2022, she exemplifies what it means to go above and beyond in her work and life. Known for her dedication and how hard she works to achieve goals, Sarah tackles challenges with positive energy and solutions. She is an active member of the event industry and believes in giving back to the community and industry through volunteering, sponsorship and creating standards of excellence, and raising the bar of professionalism.
Giving back is a priority for Sarah. She enjoys taking time to serve the community through volunteerism, curating fundraising events for nonprofit organizations, and music instruction for youth in the foster care system. Sarah has cultivated relationships with nonprofit organizations across the country and curated more than 200 opportunities for the MFRG-ICON team to give back through donations, volunteerism, and grant-making.
Sarah earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Native American Studies from the University of Oklahoma. She is passionate about all things creative and loves supporting others in their creative endeavors.
Awards and recognition
- San Diego Business Journal’s – 40 Under 40 Finalist in 2022
- San Diego Housing Federation's Ruby Awards – Hearth Stone Award Finalist 2022
- Bring the Music Initiative’s – Mentor of the year 2021
- San Diego Metro’s – 40 Under 40 Award for 2020
- San Diego Metro’s – Woman of Influence for 2020
- Women of Influence – Woman to Watch Finalist 2020
Why did you decide to join the Circulate San Diego board of directors?
I am invested in creating a community that is safe and gives access to all of those who live and work in the area. I believe that ease of mobility, affordable housing, access to opportunity, and safety are vital to the community and we can work together to help the region thrive.
What’s your ideal day off in San Diego look like?
An ideal day would start with taking my dog, Lola, for a walk-through Presidio Park, then meeting my best friend for a neighborhood stroll, perfect for window shopping and lunch, followed by drinks and dinner overlooking the ocean while the sun sets.
Learn more about Circulate San Diego's Board of Directors, on our Board Page.
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Jeremy Bloom wants to volunteer 2023-01-13 15:16:49 -0800
Volunteer with Circulate San Diego
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2022 Year-End Briefing
Together in 2022 we made San Diego a better place to live, work, and move around. As we close out the year we want to celebrate some incredible wins and let you know how we are setting the agenda for land use and transportation policy in the region in 2023.
Individual and Corporate Members fuel Circulate San Diego’s work to advocate for safe streets, improved transit, and better land use policy. With your support we are making San Diego a better place to live, work, and move around.
Circulate is known as the go to organization for land use and mobility policy, and to be at the forefront of innovative and practical solutions. To ensure our continued success and meet the demands of increasing costs we are adjusting our membership dues starting on January 1, 2023.
We are giving our current members the opportunity to renew early and save! Renew your 2023 Corporate Membership by December 31st and pay the 2022 membership level price, but get all the great benefits in 2023. Check our our Corporate Membership and Individual Membership pages for more details.
In 2022, Circulate worked to:
Enhance safety for youth and older adults. This year, our planning team engaged hundreds of young people and older adults about how to bike and walk safely. We partnered with organizations like Father Joe’s Village and the San Diego Unified School District, to conduct transit, biking, and walk field trips. We worked with jurisdictions like National City and the County of San Diego to improve the built environment for their residents.
Reform community planning. In 2022, we won a major victory in our efforts to reform Community Planning Groups (CPG). The reforms are a major breakthrough after of years of advocacy led by Circulate San Diego. Circulate released its report “Democracy in Planning” in February 2018. That report was followed by a grand jury report, recommendations from the City’s Land Use and Housing Committee, and several legal memos from the City Attorney and Circulate San Diego, all calling for reforms. The many years of work, can be read on our website.
Expand policies that build more affordable housing. In April, we published Home Run for Homes, a major report on housing affordability. The report details the success of San Diego’s Affordable Homes Bonus Program (AHBP). The AHBP builds upon California Density Bonus Law, and allows developers to build more homes if they agree to dedicate a portion of a new multi-family project as affordable.
Pass parking reform. One of the major takeaways from our Home Run for Homes report is that local parking reform did not undermine affordable housing production. We testified in Sacramento and worked to pass AB 2097, which eliminates parking minimums near transit.
Make transit more efficient for more people. In October, we published Fast Bus! highlighting cost-effective ways to advance public transit and hit our equity, climate, and economic development goals. Bus riders are essential members of our community, but long bus trips mean riders have less time to spend with their families, at school, working, or having fun. Making the bus run faster means giving people their lives back.
Ensure housing near transit. Initially opposing the City of San Diego’s proposal for “Sustainable Development Areas” (SDAs) due to concerns that the proposal would violate the city’s obligation to affirmatively further fair housing by reducing capacity in high opportunity areas while increasing it in low opportunity areas. Before the final vote, we spoke with City staff and the final version addressed many of our concerns and affirmatively furthers fair housing by adding more opportunity for new housing in exclusionary, high resource neighborhoods.
Demonstrate better pedestrian infrastructure. The planning team coordinated with UCSD to create a demonstration project for those who move around the campus. The area selected had ongoing issues with pedestrians traveling along the new pedestrian mall which has resulted in conflicts with car traffic.
Improve North County transit.Designed a bilingual survey for transit and non-transit users with the North County Transit District.
We have some big projects coming up in 2023.
You can support this work by renewing and increasing your membership, joining as a report or campaign sponsor, and sponsoring our annual Momentum Awards.
Making the Most of the Mid-Coast. With the completion of Mid-Coast Trolley extension, the San Diego Region has a oncein-a-generation opportunity to grow its biotech economy, connect homes to jobs, and to address climate change. Circulate San Diego is publishing a report (Making the Most of the Mid-Coast) and launching an advocacy campaign for the City of San Diego to adopt a robust update to land use rules in the University Community Plan (UCPG). Look out for the report in January 2023.
Moderate-Income Density Bonus Legislation. Circulate is sponsoring important state-wide legislation to incentives moderate-income housing production. As sequel to our important Affordable Homes Bonus Program (AHBP).
Affordable Homes Playbook. Circulate’s second report in 2023 will offer proven best practices to implement state housing legislation, focusing in affordable density bonus, SB 35, accessory dwelling units, and development impact fees. The report will show best practices to implement state housing reforms that have a track record of success, and which are politically viable for local officials to adopt. The report will complement California’s initial legislation, and burgeoning efforts by state agencies. It will provide the missing piece for those local governments that are willing to do the right thing, if they had the tools, and political cover to act.
Continue to engage residents to make our streets safer. In 2023, our planning team is expanding our efforts to engage more folks in street safety. With long standing partners, like the Office of Traffic Safety, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the County of San Diego we will offer e-bike rodeos, demonstration projects, safe routes to school plans, and much more.
I’m proud of our creative team of mobility planners and advocates, who stepped up to meet the challenge of 2022.
With your continued support and help we will continue advocating for improved transit, safe streets, and affordable homes.
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Jeremy Bloom published PRESS RELEASE: SUPERVISOR NORA VARGAS HEADLINES CIRCULATE MEMBERSHIP MIXER IN BARRIO LOGAN in Press Room 2022-11-07 17:11:11 -0800
PRESS RELEASE: SUPERVISOR NORA VARGAS HEADLINES CIRCULATE MEMBERSHIP MIXER IN BARRIO LOGAN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 7, 2022
Contact: Shea Benton
(916) 342-0580 | [email protected]PRESS RELEASE: SUPERVISOR NORA VARGAS HEADLINES CIRCULATE MEMBERSHIP MIXER IN BARRIO LOGAN
SAN DIEGO (November 7, 2022) - This Thursday, November 10th, local nonprofit Circulate San Diego will host their final member mixer of the year featuring remarks from San Diego County Board of Supervisors Vice-Chair Nora Vargas.
Supervisor Vargas represents San Diego County’s First Supervisorial District. A first-generation immigrant, Supervisor Vargas is the first Latina, first binational, and first woman of color to serve as County Supervisor in the 172-year history of the County of San Diego. She is currently serving a second term as Vice-Chair of the Board.The event, hosted Friday, November 10th at Border X Brewing in Barrio Logan will be a fun evening with Circulate’s diverse and engaged membership for networking, free drinks, music, and celebrations. Guests will mingle with Circulate staff members, local decision-makers, and professionals in the land use and transportation space.
“We’re honored to be joined by Vice Chair Vargas as we cap off a successful year working to increase mobility options and creating vibrant, healthy neighborhoods for all San Diegans,” said Colin Parent, Executive Director and General Counsel for Circulate San Diego. “Supervisor Vargas has been a champion for mobility and healthy neighborhoods as Chair for SANDAG’s Transportation Committee and Air Pollution Control District, and we look forward to continuing to work with her to improve mobility options for all San Diegans in 2023.”
Vice Chair Vargas is Co-Chair of the County's COVID-19 subcommittee and has led efforts to mitigate the impacts of the global pandemic, with a strong focus on economic recovery from an equity lens. She serves as Chair for SANDAG’s Transportation Committee and the Air Pollution Control District and is the County’s representative to the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) and National Association of Counties (NACo). In February 2022, Vice Chair Vargas was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to serve on the California Air Resources Board.
Circulate San Diego celebrated numerous wins in 2022, including the expansion of the Affordable Homes Bonus Program, the release of the “Fast Bus” report to accelerate bus transit, passage of City of San Diego planning group reform, and the statewide elimination of parking minimums in transit priority areas.
Find more information about the event at https://www.circulatesd.org/nov2022membership
About Circulate San Diego
Circulate San Diego is a regional nonprofit think tank dedicated to advancing mobility and making the region a better place to move, work, learn and play. Our work focuses on creating great mobility choices, more walkable and bikeable neighborhoods, and land uses that promote sustainable growth. For more information, go to www.circulatesd.org. -
Jeremy Bloom published PRESS RELEASE: CIRCULATE SAN DIEGO AND GROUNDWORK SAN DIEGO COMPLETE WALKING FIELD TRIPS IN SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO in Press Room 2022-09-30 11:47:46 -0700
PRESS RELEASE: CIRCULATE SAN DIEGO AND GROUNDWORK SAN DIEGO COMPLETE WALKING FIELD TRIPS IN SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 30, 2022
Contact: Colin Parent
619-567-6856 | [email protected]PRESS RELEASE: CIRCULATE SAN DIEGO AND GROUNDWORK SAN DIEGO COMPLETE WALKING FIELD TRIPS IN SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO
Circulate San Diego recently partnered with local climate action nonprofit Groundwork San Diego to perform walking field trips near Federal Boulevard and Euclid Avenue in Southeast San Diego. Participants helped identify infrastructure improvements that can increase pedestrian safety. Participants included members of the Chollas Creek Coalition, EarthLab high school students, and area residents.
Circulate San Diego’s efforts received funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the San Diego Police Department to provide pedestrian, bicycle, and scooter safety education. Circulate San Diego partnered with community groups and organizations to lead walking field trips throughout the year to identify safety hazards and to educate people on how to use roads safely. Efforts have been largely concentrated in neighborhoods that have been fragmented, segregated, and isolated by past transportation investment and/or along high-injury corridors.
The walking field trips were located near Webster Elementary School, which is located northeast of the Interstate 805 and State Highway 94 interchange, and along corridors that will lead to a planned pocket park on Home Avenue and Federal Boulevard. Photos from the field trips are attached to this release.
A common theme echoed throughout the walking field trips was that cars travel too fast and the distance between pedestrian crossings are too far apart. Cars traveling at higher speeds require longer stopping distances, and higher speed crashes are more likely to result in serious injuries and deaths. In addition, midblock crossings without a crosswalk were frequently observed with the nearest crossing at times a half-mile away.
There is a midblock crossing at 48th Street and Federal Boulevard. As one resident stated to Circulate San Diego staff, “It is a terribly dangerous crossing. Cars drive too fast, there is no button to press, and the lights flash continuously so its hard to know if someone is trying to cross.” Another resident says he uses that crossing but shared, “You have to run.”
Based on data projections from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), 7,485 people, or an average of 20 people every day, died after being struck by a vehicle last year – an 11.5% increase from 2020 and a 40-year high.
Traffic calming treatments, such as road diets, curb extensions, and signalized midblock crossings with elevated sidewalks, can help slow the speed of cars and reduce the number and severity of crashes.
The California Office of Traffic Safety offers the following safe driving and walking tips, including staying off the phone when behind the wheel or walking, to help ensure the safety of all roadway users.
Drivers
- Do not speed, and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.
- Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.
- Never drive impaired.
Pedestrians
- Be predictable. Use signalized crosswalks where drivers may anticipate foot traffic.
- Watch for approaching vehicles and be careful crossing the street. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.
- Make it easier for drivers to see you at night – wear light colors, reflective material and use a flashlight.
- Be careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night or on busier streets with higher speed limits.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
