HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-09-06; Traffic and Mobility Commission; ; Status Update on the Bicycle, E-Bicycle, and Motorized Mobility Device Safety Local EmergencyMeeting Date: Sept. 6, 2022
To: Traffic and Mobility Commission
Staff Contact: Tom Frank, Transportation Director/City Engineer
Tom.frank@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2766
Subject: Status Update on the Bicycle, E-Bicycle, and Motorized Mobility Device
Safety Local Emergency
Recommended Action
Receive an update and solicit feedback from the public and the Traffic and Mobility Commission
on the bicycle, e-bicycle, and motorized mobility device safety local emergency.
Background
On Aug. 30, 2022, the City Council approved a resolution ratifying the Proclamation of Bicycle,
E-Bicycle and Motorized Mobility Device Safety Local Emergency in the City of Carlsbad,
California, dated Aug. 23, 2022, proclaimed by the Director of Emergency Services. The City
Council also authorized the Deputy City Manager of Administrative Services to appropriate $2
million from unspent funds from the fiscal year 2021-2022 General Fund budget to support the
city’s coordinated efforts to increase attention and resources on a range of solutions including
infrastructure, safety, enforcement and safe driving behavior. The Aug. 30, 2022, staff report is
provided as Exhibit 1.
Discussion
This presentation will provide a status update on staff’s plan to implement this ratified
emergency proclamation and also provide the opportunity to receive public and commissioner
comments regarding the subject August 30 City Council staff report and to provide suggestions
for moving forward.
Exhibits
1.Ratification of a Proclamation of Bicycle, E-Bicycle and Motorized Mobility Device
Safety Local Emergency - City Council meeting on Aug. 30, 2022
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #4 1
Exhibit 1
CA Review CM/RK
Meeting Date: Aug. 30, 2022
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Staff Contact: Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager
geoff.patnoe@carlsbadca.gov 442-339-2820
Subject: Ratification of a Proclamation of Bicycle, E-Bicycle and Motorized
Mobility Device Safety Local Emergency
Districts: All
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution:
•Ratifying the Aug. 23, 2022, Proclamation of Bicycle, E-Bicycle and Motorized Mobility
Device Safety Local Emergency in the City of Carlsbad, California
•Authorizing the Deputy City Manager of Administrative Services to appropriate $2 million
from unspent funds from the fiscal year 2021-22 General Fund budget to support the
city’s coordinated efforts to increase attention and resources on a range of solutions
including infrastructure, safety, enforcement, and safe driving and riding education
Executive Summary
Carlsbad’s City Manager/Director of Emergency Services proclaimed a state of local emergency1
on Aug. 23, 2022, in response to a more than 200% increase in collisions involving bikes and e-
bikes since 2019, including two fatalities since Aug. 7, 2022. The proclamation is intended to
immediately increase attention and resources on a range of solutions including infrastructure,
safety, enforcement and safe driving and riding education.
Upon proclaiming the local emergency, the City Manager authorized the redeployment of
resources from the city’s police, fire, transportation and communication departments to
develop a comprehensive plan to address the emergency and actions that can be implemented
immediately. This report requests funding to support immediate actions.
Staff are requesting authorization and funding to overstaff sworn positions by the equivalent of
four fulltime positions for the remaining months of the fiscal year to expand enforcement. In
addition, staff are requesting funding for overtime for additional enforcement efforts and to
1 California Government Code Section 8630, and the City of Carlsbad’s Emergency Services Ordinance, including
Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 6.04.100(A)(1), empower the City Manager, as the City of Carlsbad’s Director of
Emergency Services, to proclaim the existence of a local emergency, subject to ratification by the City Council
when there exists, or there is threatened to exist, conditions of extreme peril to safety of persons and property
within the City of Carlsbad.
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #4 2
provide officer training to those who will in turn facilitate education and outreach to the
community.
Staff will present a proposed comprehensive plan to City Council for consideration on Sept. 27,
2022.
Discussion
Overview
The exponential increase in e-bikes and cycling in general, around Carlsbad has led to a
corresponding increase in collisions, including two tragic deaths in the last month. E-bikes have
been a main focus of community concerns, but not the only focus. The emergency proclamation
includes bikes, e-bikes and other motorized mobility devices.
From circulation to mobility
Much of Carlsbad’s transportation system has developed within the last 40 years, concurrent
with the city’s physical expansion. Transportation planning from the 1980s to 2015 was focused
on improving car travel, with an emphasis on mitigating traffic congestion and delays. The city’s
Growth Management Program established standards for roadway level of service, requiring
developers to fund roadways expansions as needed to accommodate new residents.
The 1994 General Plan and the Growth Management Plan helped assure that infrastructure was
provided in a systematic fashion as the city grew and developed. The transportation system
envisioned in the 1994 General Plan has largely been realized, with the majority of the street
infrastructure constructed to its ultimate configuration.
In 2015, the City Council approved an updated General Plan. The Mobility Element of the
updated plan sets out a new policy vision for moving people around Carlsbad rather than just
cars. This new vision reflects the city’s current stage of life as well as environmental and cultural
trends.
For example, as the city looks increasingly to infill development rather than outward expansion,
the primary transportation issues relate to protecting and enhancing the community’s quality
of life, as reflected in the core values of the Carlsbad Community Vision. The community’s
vision includes better pedestrian and bicycle connections between neighborhoods,
destinations, and different parts of the community, and a balanced transportation system
rather than a singular focus on automobile travel.
About e-bikes
E-bikes and other newer modes of travel can be a very positive addition to transportation
choices available to the community. E-bikes make bike riding much more accessible, especially
on Carlsbad’s hilly streets and for longer distances that may be otherwise too challenging for
riders. They are environmentally friendly and support the city’s Climate Action Plan goals to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Because a driver’s license is not required to operate an e-bike in the state of California, and e-
bikes can travel up to 28 mph, many riders lack the knowledge and maturity needed to ride
safely. The city has received many complaints related to reckless riding, and the city has worked
with local schools to host educational workshops for students and parents, as well as other
strategies to address this concern.
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #4 3
City actions to date
The City of Carlsbad has initiated several programs and actions in recent years to address traffic
safety concerns and overall mobility in our community.
Infrastructure improvements
In January 2021, the City Council approved the Sustainable Mobility Plan, an overarching
strategy that includes expanding sidewalks and bike lanes while slowing down cars on streets
throughout Carlsbad. The city’s traffic engineers have completed several of these projects and
have more in the planning stages. In June 2022, the City Council directed staff to further
expedite streets projects in the current fiscal year’s budget. However, with hundreds of miles of
city roads, it will still take many years to complete the projects in the plan.
The city has also recently completed 10 residential traffic safety projects, which include working
with specific neighborhoods to determine the best options to slow down traffic. Solutions often
include installing speed “cushions,” new signs, traffic circles and curb extensions. City staff are
planning 11 more neighborhood safety projects in the year ahead.
Public awareness and education
Beginning in 2021, the city launched an e-bike safety public awareness campaign with public
service announcement videos, fliers and social media. Other efforts have included:
•Partnering with local schools to put on e-bike educational workshops for students and
parents
•Partnering with mobility organizations to promote bike and e-bike safety workshops
•Deploying electronic speed sign and electronic message boards from December 2021 to
August 2022
o Speed signs installed at 23 locations throughout the city in response to traffic related
complaints
o Message board used at five locations throughout the city in response to traffic-
related complaints
Stricter laws
In April 2022, Carlsbad became the only city in the region to pass specific rules for e-bike riders
and users of other motorized mobility devices (Exhibit 2). This provides Carlsbad police officers
with more enforcement options, including a diversion program in which minors have the option
to complete an e-bike safety course after their first offense.
Enforcement
The City of Carlsbad Police Department has increased enforcement to improve traffic safety,
including e-bike safety. This includes:
•Conducting interagency enforcement surge on June 22, 2022, resulting in 240 citations
including violations of e-bike rules
•Dedicating a school resource officer to e-bike safety in the Village for the summer 2022
school break
•Through a California Office of Traffic Safety grant:
o 2022 - Conducted five distracted driving details and seven bicycle safety details
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #4 4
o 2021 - Conducted two bicycle enforcement details and two pedestrian enforcement
details
o 2020 - Conducted three bicycle safety operations, three distracted driver operations,
as well as three operations that focused on both pedestrian and bicycle safety
operations
About the emergency proclamation
The California Emergency Services Act allows cities to proclaim a local state of emergency when
needed to protect public safety in extreme circumstances. Carlsbad’s emergency proclamation went
into effect immediately and was placed on the Aug. 30, 2022, meeting agenda so the City Council
could consider whether or not to ratify the proclamation. If ratified, the emergency proclamation
will then need to be reviewed by the City Council no less frequently than every 60 days until the City
Council ends it.
Since the Aug. 23, 2022, emergency proclamation, the City Manager directed several immediate
actions:
Procurement and resourcing
•Redeployed resources from the city’s police, fire, transportation and communication
departments to develop a comprehensive plan to address the emergency and actions
that can be implemented immediately
•Identified initial funding needed to support the actions necessary to address the
emergency
Public awareness, education and enforcement
•Identified high collision and high traffic areas and deployed speed feedback signs and
electronic messaging boards to remind motorists of the importance of roadway safety
•Deployed electronic messaging boards to remind motorists of the importance of
roadway safety
•Sent information about emergency proclamation and traffic safety behaviors to 80,026
email addresses, with a 61% open rate
•Shared urgency of traffic safety issue and city’s emergency proclamation with local
media, resulting in coverage from all local TV, radio and print outlets
•Coordinated with school districts and private schools in Carlsbad to share traffic safety
messages in coordination with back to school
•Shared traffic safety messages through the city’s social media channels
•Began development of an enhanced public education campaign
Infrastructure
•Expedited execution of contracts and agreements to secure additional speed feedback
signs and electronic messaging boards
•Accelerated current capital improvement projects that include green bicycle lane
treatments and initiated another project for additional green bicycle lane treatments in
high-collision areas in the city
Fiscal Analysis
Staff are requesting City Council approval to appropriate up to $2 million from the city’s
unspent fiscal year 2021-22 General Fund budget to be used to support the city’s coordinated
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #4 5
efforts to increase attention and resources on a short-term range of solutions including
infrastructure, safety, enforcement and a focus on safe driving behavior education. The
following are estimated costs that have been identified by staff:
Action Amount
Overstaff Police Dept. sworn positions by four additional full-time officers $535,000
Police Dept. overtime for training and enforcement $100,000
Procure additional speed feedback signs and electronic messaging boards $250,000
Activities such as infrastructure, enforcement and safe driving behavior education $1,115,000
Total $2,000,000
Next Steps
Staff will continue to expedite measures to address roadway safety. A report with additional
activities for City Council’s consideration will be presented on Sept. 27, 2022.
Environmental Evaluation
The allocation of funding for anticipated actions intended to mitigate the emergency, which
includes infrastructure and safety improvements, and education and enforcement efforts
focusing on safe driving behavior are a Class 1 categorical exemption under CEQA Guidelines
Section 15301 - Existing Facilities. Specifically, Section 15301(c) exempts existing highways and
streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities (this includes road
grading for the purpose of public safety), and other alterations such as the addition of bicycle
facilities, including but not limited to bicycle parking, bicycle-share facilities and bicycle lanes,
transit improvements such as bus lanes, pedestrian crossings, street trees and other similar
alterations that do not create additional automobile lanes.
The anticipated improvements to the city’s existing mobility network under this action will
improve public safety and address the critical issues raised in the emergency declaration.
Actions are anticipated to involve negligible expansion of the current facilities and
infrastructure beyond existing and will not result in additional automobile lanes. The actions
are not expected to increase vehicular use of the roadway, will occur within the existing public
right-of-way, and will not change the overall facility use of the mobility network. No exception
to the exemption as sets forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 applies.
For the reasons stated above, the action is categorically exempt from CEQA under CEQA
Guidelines Section 15304(e), which applies to the minor temporary use of land having negligible
or no permanent effects on the environment, and CEQA Guidelines Section 15304(h), which
covers the creation of bicycle lanes on existing rights-of-way.
Public Notification
This item was noticed in keeping with the Ralph M. Brown Act and it was available for public
viewing and review at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting date.
Exhibits
1.City Council resolution
2.Carlsbad Municipal Code Chapter 10.56 – Operation of Regulated Mobility Devices
Sept. 6, 2022 Item #4 6
From:İlker Akbaş
To:Traffic
Subject:The Traffic & Mobility Commission Meeting Comment
Date:Friday, September 2, 2022 9:27:48 PM
Dear Mr and Ms Commission Members,
I would like to address one of my comment about the traffic safety in Carlsbad. I try to express
my comment briefly and keep it as short as I can. Please consider it during you meetings.
I moved in Carlsbad 1,5 month ago and since my first day that I moved in I recognized someof the streets have unbelievable speed limits that I have never imagined before; like some parts
of El Camino Real, La Costa Ave, Palomar Airport Road, Rancho Sant Fe etc.
As the drivers don’t pay attention to the most of the posted speed limits on the streets thesestreets have 55 mph speed limit which is only 10 mph less than the bike and pedestrian free
designated freeways. Most of the drivers drive 65-70 mph in these areas. The bikes andpedestrians face with 55 mph cruising cars only a couple of inches in the residential streets and
even it’s legal.
I kindly suggest you to consider in any streets with a bike lane have never a speed limit of 55mph under no circumstances and use any technological and human driven efforts to keep in
line with the speed limits.
Thank you for your great efforts for keeping the city a better and safest place in the county.
Best Regards,
Ilker Akbas
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1
Eliane Paiva
Subject:FW: TMC Comments for today.
From: Bob Embree <bobcembree@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 6, 2022 2:35 PM
To: Tom Frank <Tom.Frank@carlsbadca.gov>
Subject: Re: City Council Meeting Items
Hello,
I’m writing to address Carlsbad’s traffic and mobility council. My name is Bob Embree. I’m a 36 year resident of
Carlsbad and have worked as a firefighter paramedic for Orange County Fire Authority for the past ten years. As many
of you know, my wife Christine was struck and eventually killed by a speeding motorist who ran the stop sign in a
residential neighborhood adjacent to Carlsbad High School.
I am writing to support Tom Frank as well as the emergency declaration ratified by council last Tuesday to address biker
and pedestrian safety as well as rates and speeds of motorists throughout our city. Bullet 8 in the emergency
declaration clearly states that, increased fatalities are directly related to excessive speeds, impaired or distracted driving
or other reckless behavior by motorists. I hope you stand behind council, the city manager, the city engineer and Tom
who hope to fast track street scape projects that will force drivers to slow down and reengage with the road: (speed
bumps and traffic circles).
For those who oppose these changes, and don’t want to see Carlsbad change I understand. But unfortunately
development has been a constant in our city since I was a young boy. Open land seems to be a thing of the past. With
more and more people calling Carlsbad home we must take pedestrian, cyclist and automobile safety seriously. We
must adapt to our current population and culture displayed by drivers on the roads.
For those who oppose, I would also like you to take my family into consideration. The immense amount of suffering and
pain we have all endured due to a motorist not adhering to the rules of the road. My wife Christine, was simply on a
bike ride home from the park when her life changed forever. She suffered the way we would expect a soldier fighting
overseas to suffer. She was conscious for over an hour answering questions with 12 broken ribs, two punctured lungs, a
massive hemothorax, and every vital organ in her abdomen lacerated and pulverized. Two trauma surgeons with a
combined 70 years experience said it was the worst trauma they had ever seen on a human body. No person deserves
to endure that type of pain. Then there is the pain of my daughter who will grow up without a mom. And finally myself
losing my best friend and the person I look forward to growing old with. I think it’s OK for motor vehicle operators to be
slightly inconvenienced in order to prevent this type of suffering.
Thank you for your time, and I know you will do what’s right, and what’s best for the citizens of Carlsbad.
Bob Embree
From:Judy Frankel BWC
To:eliane.paiva@carlsbad.gov; Traffic
Cc:Nathan Schmidt; Tom Frank
Subject:Traffic Commision Agend Item 4 Safety Local Emergency
Date:Monday, September 5, 2022 2:42:59 PM
On behalf of Bike Walk Carlsbad I’d like to see the Education Diversion Program clarified.
Classes need to be taught only by League Certified Instructors. Making the Police League Certified
instructors also had the benefit of them being the most educated as to bike safety and the CVC
codes as it applies to bicyclists. Officers are also riding bikes and ebikes.
We should explicitly lay out the program for making some of the officers into League Certified
Instructors.
I heard it mentioned in the city council meeting that the diversion program only applies to city
ordinances. Most of the laws broken are in the CVC. That is going to leave out most of the
population who break the CVC. If a motorist can take a diversion course for breaking the law with
regard to the California Vehicle Code, a cyclist should also be able to be educated with a diversion
program. Other cities have made this happen for bicyclists. It may require a lawyer to research it.
With an Emergency Declaration we should be able to make it happen.
Thank you
Judy Frankel
Bike Walk Carlsbad
Chairman
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Sept. 6, 2022
PROCLAMATION OF
LOCAL SAFETY EMERGENCY
Item # 4 -Bicycle Safety Issue
Carlsbad Blvd. at Ponto Rd.
Carlsbad Traffic and Mobility Commission
Tom Lichterman, Presenter
Sept. 6, 2022
Reason I am Here Today:
According to the Commission’s Agenda:
The Traffic and Mobility Commission is directed to study
all matters referred to it concerning traffic safety and
pedestrian safety and to make written recommendations
to the city council regarding traffic and pedestrian safety
within the city.
I am requesting that the Commission direct staff to
investigate and develop a remediation plan for a clear
roadway defect that is a hazard to cyclists that caused me
an accident with injuries.
My Cycling Accident
On April 24, 2022, at approximately 11:00AM. Clear, sunny weather.
Riding northbound on Highway 101 (Carlsbad Blvd.) roughly adjacent to the
Chandler’s Restaurant.
I drifted into the paved gutter adjacent to the bike lane at this location.
At this location, the gutter pavement is immediately adjacent to the raised
curb.
On the bike lane side of the gutter, there is a secondary concrete curb
constructed in the roadway but raised approximately ¾” to 1 ½ “ above the
gutter.
The photo below shows this pavement area, and the red arrow shows the
secondary concrete curb which contributed to my accident.
Accident Location
Accident Cause
The front wheel of my bicycle caught on this secondary raised curb
and it caused me to lose my balance and crash onto the roadway.
This road condition (depressed gutter pavement lower than the level
of the secondary concrete curb embedded in the roadway) caused this
accident.
The concept is the same as what keeps a railroad car on the tracks –a
flange on the wheel (in this case, my bicycle wheel) rides on the inside
of the rail (in this case, the secondary curb), making it impossible to
correct for and get out of the gutter.
Demonstration of Accident Cause
Side view of secondary curb above gutter Simulation of front wheel caught by curb
My Injuries and Damages
My Injuries:
•Severe road rash on my left leg with cuts, bleeding, and abrasions
•Major bruise on my left side of my leg and hip, about a foot long
•Abrasion on my left elbow
•Abrasions on my left hand
•Pain in my left hip
•Pain in my left shoulder
•Bruise on my left-hand palm
My Damages:
•Shredded cycling glove
•Torn left arm warmer at elbow
•Abraded left brake handle/shifter on my bicycle
My Request
In the spirit of the Declaration of a Local
Emergency, that the Commission direct staff to
investigate this location and implement a
remediation plan to remove this public safety
hazard to cyclists as soon as possible.
The road is shared with bicyclists, drivers, and pedestrians. Some
walk, some bike, and many of us drive. Letʼs be the best versions
of ourselves on the road, especially if we are in the car. Bicyclists
and pedestrians need drivers to be safe to keep them safe. And
drivers need those around them to exercise care. Share the road.
Share the responsibility. Letʼs look out for one another.
California Office of Traffic Safety
RECOMMENDED ACTION
•Receive an update
•Solicit feedback from the public and Traffic & Mobility Commission
on the declaration of a local emergency
EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION
Government Code Section 8630
Carlsbad Municipal Code Chapter 6.04
“actual or threatened existence of
conditions of extreme peril to the public
safety within our city.”
Activate the Emergency Operations Center
Immediately redeploy resources
Streamline procurement and other processes
Increase focus and collaboration among our residents,
businesses, other agencies and our business community
EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION
•Ratified by the City Council on
Aug. 30
•Must be reviewed every 60 days
EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION
Emergency findings
•E-bike education program
•Increased enforcement, targeting areas of concern
•The City Council also made Carlsbad the first city in the region to pass laws
specific to e-bikes
–Includes diversion program for young riders
CITY ACTIONS TO DATE
•City Council approved General Plan in 2015
•Added and improved hundreds of miles of bike lanes and implemented
other programs that look at streets and sidewalks as ways to move people,
not just cars
•City Council approved comprehensive plan Jan. 2021
•City Council prioritized spending in budget approved June 2022
CITY ACTIONS TO DATE
Engineering
3,823 engagements
3,823 engagements
ENHANCED ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS
•Departmental adjustments
–Reassigned three personnel to traffic
–Detectives conducting traffic enforcement
–Hiring officers on overtime
•Enforcement totals
–Written warnings
–Citations
ENFORCEMENT
•Enforcement focus
–Cars
–E-bikes
–Pedal bikes
•DUI arrests
BUDGET
•Overstaffing the Police Department
•Overtime and training for Police officers
•Procure additional speed feedback signs and electronic messaging boards
•Short term actions to accelerate infrastructure projects like traffic calming, more restriping of city streets in connection with our street resurfacing project that is starting next week.
•A public education campaign that can start immediately focused on safe driving and riding.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
•Receive an update
•Solicit feedback from the public and Traffic & Mobility Commission on the
declaration of a local emergency