Help Santa Monica Become a Better, Safer Place to Walk

Santa Monica is considered one of the most walkable large cities in California, but sometimes, it can also feel like a death trap.

To improve safety and to make the future Expo Light Rail stations accessible to pedestrians, city officials are working on a guide, called the Pedestrian Action Plan, that they aim to complete by the end of the year. Before they release a draft, they want to hear from the public.

A workshop for residents to provide input to city planners is set for 7 p.m. Jan. 28 at the East Wing of the Civic Center Auditorium, 1855 Main St. Participation is also encouraged via an online forum, pedplan.santamonicatownhall.org. The page asks questions, such as, "what makes you feel safe when you are walking?" (one answer: Forbid cyclists on sidewalks.)

Here's the latest update on the plan from the spring edition of Seascape, the city's quarterly newsletter:

The Pedestrian Action Plan will identify locations that need to be improved now and also look toward the changes that will be necessary to help residents and visitors make the best use of Santa Monica’s three Expo light rail stations opening in 2016.

The plan will also inform the city’s ongoing and future enforcement and public safety campaigns. All of this requires community input—and that’s where you come in.

The City of Santa Monica asks you to help us discover what’s unique about walking in Santa Monica and what can be done to make it safer and more enjoyable. We’ll hold the first public workshop on January 28, 2013 (see inset), where participants’ input will be used to help shape the Pedestrian Action Plan to make sure our residents and visitors can continue to “walk the walk.”

Community groups can request a presentation from city staffers about the plan by calling (310) 458-8298 or emailing francie.stefan@smgov.net.

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