Board of Supervisors*

R01

The Grand Jury recommends that the County Board of Supervisors and the city councils of all cities within the County encourage their respective law enforcement personnel to increase enforcement of bicycle and related motor vehicle laws. Already Implemented. The Board encourages the enforcement of all laws, including bicycle and related motor vehicle laws, and through participation on VCTC, the pursuit of related grants that address such issues. However, as circumstances in each city or area of the county is unique, we defer the decision to increase enforcement of bicycle laws from current levels to the Sheriff and each local law enforcement agency, as they are the experts on this issue for their jurisdiction and the cost versus benefit of such increased enforcement.

R02

The Grand Jury recommends that the County Board of Supervisors and the city councils of all cities within the County that do not already have a Bicycle Advisory Commission/Committee establish one to perform such tasks as: Identify roads in need of bicycle lanes Research federal, State, and other funding sources for projects related to bicycle infrastructure and use Issue motor vehicle and bicycle public safety announcements Promote use of bicycles as a viable form of transportation and for health and ecological reasons Offer safety education and bike rodeos for children . Provide liaison between city councils, transportation agencies, and the community on bicycle-related issues and concerns Assist in the development and dissemination of educational materials related to bicycle laws and safety 3 Response to 2014-2015 Grand Jury Final Report Countywide Bicycle Safety From Ventura County Board of Supervisors Review and comment on private development plans that include bicycle . facilities or have an impact on bicycle safety and access Review and promote the enforcement of city and State laws related to bicycle safety Encourage the public to register bicycles and keep a record of the serial • numbers to facilitate the return of stolen or lost bicycles. Requires Further Analysis. The board of Supervisors recommends that the VCTC would be the proper agency to establish a countywide Bicycle Commission. All 10 cities and all 5 County Supervisors are represented on the Commission, and bicycle issues are part of VCTC's core mobility functions. Additionally, there is a VCTC Committee, the Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) which is comprised of representatives from each city and the county. CTAC is charged with reviewing the Article 3 Bicycle/Pedestrian Grant Funding annually. They also review the Bicycle Master Plan and could serve as a countywide Bicycle Commission if directed by the Commission. Members of our Board will request that this recommendation be placed on an upcoming VCTC meeting agenda for discussion.

R03

The Grand Jury recommends the County Board of Supervisors and the City Councils of all cities within the County, continually promote bicycle laws and safety to people of all ages, concentrating on school-age children through events such as bike rodeos, bicycle rallies, and other educational activities. Requires Further Analysis. The Board supports this recommendation, however as noted in the previous recommendation response, recommends the VCTC as the appropriate entity to facilitate countywide increased promotion and education of bicycle and related road laws, as well as promote such events. Members of our Board will request that this recommendation be placed on an upcoming VCTC meeting agenda for discussion.

R04

The Grand Jury recommends the County Board of Supervisors and the City Councils of all cities within the County use local media (e.g., public service announcements, public events, and government websites) to educate the motor vehicle driving public and bicyclists of their responsibility to know and obey bicycle- related laws. Requires Further Analysis. The Board supports this recommendation, however as noted in the previous recommendation response, recommends the VCTC as the appropriate entity to facilitate countywide increased promotion and education of bicycle and related road laws, as well as promote such events. Members of our Board will request that this recommendation be agenized at an upcoming VCTC meeting agenda for discussion. GEOFF DEAN Sheriff <b>VENTURA COUNTY</b> GARY PENTIS Undersheriff STEVE DE CESARI SHERIFF'S OFFICE Assistant Sheriff GUY STEWART Assistant Sheriff 800 SOUTH VICTORIA AVENUE, VENTURA, CA 93009 PHONE (805) 654-2380 FAX (805) 645-1391 August 26, 2015 The Honorable Judge Donald D. Coleman Presiding Judge, Superior Court of California County of Ventura 800 South Victoria Avenue Ventura, CA 93009 Subject: Grand Jury Report, Countywide Bicycle Safety (June 01, 2015) Dear Judge Coleman: This letter is in response to the Grand Jury's Findings and Recommendations pertaining to the countywide bicycle safety report, as it relates to the Ventura County Sheriff Office's unincorporated areas and the cities that contract law enforcement services from the Sheriff's Office (Fillmore Police Department, Moorpark Police Department, Ojai Police Department, and Thousand Oaks Police Department). The Camarillo Police Department's response will be incorporated with the City of Camarillo's response. FILLMORE POLICE DEPARTMENT: Finding: FI-01. Throughout the County, law enforcement personnel rarely enforce helmet laws. They do not enforce bicycle licensing ordinances. Response: The Fillmore Police Department agrees with the Grand Jury that helmet laws are rarely enforced and we do not enforce the bicycle licensing ordinance. We currently have a volunteer licensing program available to the public. The Fillmore Police Department plans to continue this volunteer program in the best interest of public relations. We will encourage the public to participate more in the registration process for the reasons stated by the Grand Jury in FI-02. Finding: FI-02. Licensing or registering bicycles with the police assists in the return of lost or stolen bicycles to owners, thereby reducing the number of unclaimed bicycles. Response: The Fillmore Police Department agrees with the finding. We currently have a volunteer licensing process and will continue our current procedures stated in FI-01. SUPPORT SERVICES □ DETENTION SERVICES ☐ PATROL SERVICES □ SPECIAL SERVICES (805) 654-2305 FAX (805) 654-3500 (805) 654-5134 FAX (805) 677-871 (805) 494-8260 FAX (805) 494-8295 ($05) 383-8791 Fax (805) 189-6549 Visit Us on the Web www.vcsd.org Grand Jury Response Countywide Bicycle Safety August 26, 2015 Finding: FI-03. Bicycle helmet laws for children are not routinely complied with nor enforced. Response: The Fillmore Police Department agrees with the finding. Refer to FI-01 Finding: FI-05. Of all the factors contributing to bicyclists' deaths and injuries, motor vehicle driver error is the most prevalent. Rear-ending of cyclists is the most common error. Response: The Fillmore Police Department agrees with the finding. Finding: FI-08. Salmoning places cyclists at greater risk as motor vehicle drivers are not expecting riders to be coming directly toward them. Many people are unaware that salmoning is illegal in the State. Response: The Fillmore Police Department agrees with the finding. We will make a greater effort to enforce traffic laws (CVC 21200 requires bicyclist follow the same traffic laws motorists must follow.) RECOMMENDATIONS Recommendation: R-01 The Grand Jury recommends that the County Board of Supervisors and the city councils of all cities within the County encourage their respective law enforcement personnel to increase enforcement of bicycle safety and related motor vehicle laws. (FI-01, FI-02, FI-03, FI-05, FI-08) Response: The Fillmore Police Department agrees with this recommendation. The Fillmore Police Department will continue to focus on education and awareness campaigns to educate children and their parents of the requirements for wearing helmets and enforce laws related to bicycle safety. The Fillmore Police Department has, in the past, used a two-pronged effort in bicycle safety, both education and enforcement. Education The Fillmore Police Department is planning to sponsor, with other local non-profits, (Fillmore Fire Foundation has agreed to purchase helmets) a bicycle rodeo this summer with bicycle/rider safety as the primary message. An agreement has been reached for helmets to be provided by one of our non-profit organizations. <b>Enforcement</b> The Fillmore Police Department will increase our enforcement efforts toward bicycle traffic laws and will contact/cite bicyclists that violate traffic laws. (CVC 21200 requires bicyclist follow the same traffic laws motorists must follow.) Grand Jury Response Countywide Bicycle Safety August 26, 2015 Thank you for the opportunity to respond to this Grand Jury report. If additional explanation is needed, please feel free to contact Captain Dave Wareham at 524-2233 or dave.wareham@ventura.org MOORPARK POLICE DEPARTMENT: Finding: FI-01. Throughout the County, law enforcement personnel rarely enforce helmet laws. They do not enforce bicycle licensing ordinances. Response: The Moorpark Police Department agrees with the Grand Jury that helmet laws are rarely enforced. The Moorpark Police Department has previously offered programs providing free helmets to children not wearing them and in need of helmets and also rewarded those who were wearing helmets through certificates from local businesses, reinforcing good habits through positive contacts in the community. The Moorpark Police Department agrees with the Grand Jury that bicycle licensing is under enforced. The Moorpark Police Services Center does offer all citizens who reside in the City and surrounding County areas the opportunity to license their bicycles. Prior to participating in agency sponsored bicycle safety events and rodeos, participants must license their bikes. The California Vehicle Code Section 39002 authorizes Cities and Counties to adopt by Resolution or Ordinance bicycling licensing procedures. The County's Ordinance dealing with the licensing procedures could be construed as somewhat antiquated. The City of Moorpark initially modeled their Resolution closely after the County's Ordinance. The Moorpark Resolution will be reviewed and updated as necessary. Finding: FI-02. Licensing or registering bicycles with the police assists in the return of lost or stolen bicycles to owners, thereby reducing the number of unclaimed bicycles. Response: The Moorpark Police Department agrees with the finding. Finding: FI-03. Bicycle helmet laws for children are not routinely complied with nor enforced. Response: The Moorpark Police Department agrees with the finding. The Moorpark Police Department utilizes a sensible approach applying the spirit of the law, letter of the law, and positive community contacts when taking enforcement actions. As much as law enforcement has involvement, good parenting practices must also be drawn upon. As mentioned in the above response to FI-01, the Moorpark Police Department has offered programs in the past is still providing free helmets and also rewarding those who are wearing helmets through certificates from local businesses. Grand Jury Response Countywide Bicycle Safety August 26, 2015 Finding: FI-05. Of all the factors contributing to bicyclists' deaths and injuries, motor vehicle driver error is the most prevalent. Rear-ending of cyclists is the most common error. Response: The Moorpark Police Department doesn't necessarily disagree with the unscientific statistical finding used by the Grand Jury, however, a more accurate analysis may be attained by specifically reviewing the ten (10) in-county fatal collisions to identify the party at fault and the primary collision factor as determined by the investigating law enforcement agency Finding: FI-08. Salmoning places cyclists at greater risk as motor vehicle drivers are not expecting riders to be coming directly toward them. Many people are unaware that Salmoning is illegal in the State. Response: The Moorpark Police Department agrees with the finding and has previously provided news articles and will continue to educate the public regarding bicycle rules of the road that also address this. RECOMMENDATIONS Recommendation: R-01. The Grand Jury recommends that the County Board of Supervisors and the city councils of all cities within the County encourage their respective law enforcement personnel to increase enforcement of bicycle safety and related motor vehicle laws. (FI-01, FI-02, FI-03, FI-05, FI-08) Response: The Moorpark Police Department agrees with this recommendation. The Moorpark Police Department utilizes a sensible approach applying the spirit of the law, letter of the law, and positive community contacts when taking enforcement actions. The Moorpark Police Department has conducted shift briefings to law enforcement personnel on bicycle safety and the applicable bicycle and motor vehicle laws deputies are responsible to enforce. This was done to increase awareness and safety. The Moorpark Police Department has continued enforcement and education through routine and directed patrols, bicycle rodeos and safety events, education from bicycle patrol members riding in the field, news articles relating to helmet safety, bike lane safety laws, bicycle vehicle code laws, providing enhanced patrol and enforcement during the first days back to school, and providing bicycle safety informational flyers that are available in the Moorpark Police Services Center lobby.