Score: +6 (6/3/0)

Ventura County Grand Jury • 2014-2015

Countywide Bicycle Safety

Published: June 01, 2015 27 pages

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⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings and Recommendations 11 findings

F01

Throughout the County, law enforcement personnel rarely enforce helmet laws. They do not enforce bicycle licensing ordinances. (FA-02, FA-06)

No recommendations for this finding

F02

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. (FA-03)

No recommendations for this finding

F03

Bicycle helmet laws for children are not routinely complied with nor enforced. (FA-05, FA-06, FA-07, FA-08)

No recommendations for this finding

F04

Adult bicycle deaths may be reduced if adults wear helmets. (FA-09, FA- 10, FA-11)

No recommendations for this finding

F05

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. (FA-12, FA-13)

No recommendations for this finding

F06

Instruction related to bicycle laws and bicycle safety is insufficient throughout the County. (FA-15, FA-16, FA-17, FA-18, FA-19)

No recommendations for this finding

F07

Statistics on bicycle accidents imply a lack of compliance with the laws and rules of the road. There is a need for the public to be aware of the laws. It is incumbent upon cyclists and drivers to know and obey the laws. (FA-15, FA-16, FA-17, FA-18, FA-19)

No recommendations for this finding

F08

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. (FA-17)

No recommendations for this finding

F09

Cities and counties utilizing bicycle advisory commissions/committees have been able to create better bicycling conditions and infrastructure, such as bike lanes, tunnels, and paths that provide for safer bicycle usage. (FA-20, FA-21)

No recommendations for this finding

F10

City and county bicycle advisory commissions/committees have been able to better educate people to be aware of bicyclists. They help bicyclists become more knowledgeable of the rules of the road and thus become safer cyclists. (FA-21) Countywide Bicycle Safety 5

Related Recommendations (1)

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  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. (FI-02, FI-06, FI-07, FI-09, FI-10, FI-11)

F11

Bicycle advisory commissions/committees, working in conjunction with city councils and/or transportation agencies, have been able to assist local governments in obtaining State, federal, and other grant monies to be used to build bicycling infrastructure and educate the public about pertinent laws and safe riding practices. (FA-21) Recommendations

Related Recommendations (1)

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  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. (FI-02, FI-06, FI-07, FI-09, FI-10, FI-11)

Commendations 3

CM1 Page 10

The Grand Jury commends the City of Oxnard Police Department for establishing bike rodeos and other educational programs, and for pursuing grant funding and applying it to enforcing bicycle laws. The Grand Jury commends the City of Thousand Oaks for its excellent Earth Day children’s bicycle education program, promotion of safe cycling to the general public, and for achieving National Designated Bicycle Friendly City, Bronze Level from the League of American Bicyclists. References Ref-01. Aten, Danna, Anthony Navarro. Public comment speaker at City of Oxnard Council Meeting, July 22, 2014, Time 01:18:50, http://www.oxnardbicycles.org/2014/07/ (accessed April 3, 2015). Ref-02. County of Ventura Ordinance Code Division 6, Article 6 6275-1-6278, https://www.municode.com/library/ca/ventura_county/codes/code_of_o rdinances?nodeId=DIV6PORE_CH2PUPR_ART6BIRELI (accessed April 6, 2015). Ref-03. City of Ventura Municipal Code Sections 16.315.010, https://www.municode.com/library/ca/san_buenaventura/codes/code_o f_ordinances?nodeId=DIV16VETRRE_CH16.315RELI (accessed April 6, 2015). Ref-04. City of Ojai Ordinance Code Chapter 2, Article 15, Section 3-2.1501 page 50-52, https://law.resource.org/pub/us/code/city/ca/Ojai,%20CA%20scan%20t hru%20supp%2017 (accessed April 6, 2015). Ref-05. City of Port Hueneme Municipal Code Article III, Division 17 Part B, https://www.municode.com/library/ca/port_hueneme/codes/code_of_or dinances?nodeId=ARTIIIPUHESA_CH3TRRE_PTBBIRE_3330LIRE/ (accessed April 3, 2015). Ref-06. City of Fillmore Municipal Code Chapter 14.60.020, https://www.municode.com/library/ca/fillmore/codes/code_of_ordinance s?nodeId=TIT14VETR_CH14.60BI (accessed April 6, 2015). Ref-07. City of Santa Paula Municipal Code, Title VII Traffic Code, Section 73.15, http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/California/santapa/cityofsanta paulacaliforniamunicipalcode?f=templates$fn=default.htm$3.0$vid=aml egal:santapaula_ca (accessed April 6, 2015). 8 Countywide Bicycle Safety
CM2 Page 11

Ref-08. City of Simi Valley Municipal Code Section 4-3.01-.14, https://www.municode.com/library/ca/simi_valley/codes/code_of_ordin ances?nodeId=TIT4PUSA_CH3BI (accessed April 6, 2015). Ref-09. City of Moorpark Municipal Code Title 10 Chapter 10- 10.16, http://qcode.us/codes/moorpark/view.php?version=beta&view=mobile& topic=10-10_16-1 (accessed April 6, 2015). Ref-10. City of Camarillo website, http://www.ci.camarillo.ca.us/i3.aspx?p=888 (accessed March 12, 2015). Ref-11. City of Ventura, “How to register your bicycle,” http://www.cityofventura.net/page/register-your-bicycle-submit- change-ownership (accessed February 3, 2015). Ref-12. Bicycle Law in California from Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_law_in_California (accessed February 2, 2015). Ref-13. Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, “California Bicycle Laws,” http://la- bike.org/resources/california-bicycle-laws (accessed February 17, 2015). Ref-14. Von Quednow, Cindy. “Bicycle fatalities across state, nation continue to increase,” Ventura County Star, December 5, 2014, http://www.vcstar.com/news/local-news/county-news/bicycle-fatalities- across-state-nation-continue-to-increase_50765797-news/county- news/bicycle-fatalities-across-state-nation-continue-to- increase_50765797 (accessed April 7, 2015). Ref-15. Smithsonian, May 2013 “Bicycle helmets really do work, but you have to wear them,” http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/bicycle- helmets-really-do-work-but-you-have-to-wear-them-79528466/?no-istl (accessed April 8, 2015). Ref-16. Fleming, Catherine. “Why do Bicycle-car accidents result in death?” published May 23, 2014, http://nw-injurylawyers.com/why-do-bike-car- accidents-result-in-deaths/-injurylawyers.com/why-do-bike-car- accidents-result-in-deaths/ (accessed April 6, 2015). Ref-17. Williams, Jeri. Chief of Police, City of Oxnard presentation to City Council Meeting November 18, 2014, video, ”Bicycle Safety,” time: 2:43:37 to 3:25:16, http://Oxnard.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=68&clip_id=2930 (accessed January 30, 2015). Ref-18. California Department of Motor Vehicles, “V C Section 21760 Three Feet for Safety Act,” https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/vctop/vc/d11/c3/a3/21760 (accessed March 4, 2015). Ref-19. California Department of Motor Vehicles, The 2015 edition of the California Driver Handbook, pages 30-32, 34, 41-44, 54, 56, 58, 62-65, 73, 81, 89, Countywide Bicycle Safety 9
CM3 Page 12

90, https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/hdbk/ (accessed April 16, 2015). Ref-20. Doyle, Alicia. “`You only get one head:’ Kids learn importance of bike helmets,” Ventura County Star, February 24, 2015, http://www.vcstar.com/news/local-news/simi-valley/you-only-get-one- head-kids-learn-importance-of-bike-helmets_23625034 (accessed February 24, 2015). Ref-21. Day, Brian. “Pasadena man critically injured in crash between two bicyclists,” San Gabriel Valley Tribune, July 14, 2013, http://www.sgvtribune.com/general-news/20130714/pasadena-man- critically-injured-in-crash-between-two-bicyclists (accessed April 21, 2015). Ref-22. Palo Alto, Bicycle Advisory Committee, webpage, http://copa-web- v1109.civicasoft.com/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=497 (accessed (February 19, 2015). Ref-23. Bicycle Advisory Committee of San Luis Obispo, Meeting Minutes July 17, 2014, http://www.slocity.org/government/advisory-bodies/agendas- and-minutes/bicycle-advisory-committee (accessed February 19, 2015). Ref-24. Hickey, Julia. “San Luis Obispo Passion for the Pedal,” The Tribune, November 8, 2010, http://www.sanluisobispo.com/welcome_page/?shf=/2010/11/08/13610 60_passion-for-the-pedal.html (accessed February 19, 2015). Ref-25. DAVISWiki website, “Bicycle Advisory Commission,” https://localwiki.org/davis/Bicycle_Advisory_Commission (accessed (February 19, 2015). Ref-26. City of Davis, City Council Meeting Minutes for November 4, 2013, http://city-council.cityofdavis.org/commissions/bicycle-advisory- commission/minutes---november-4-2013 (accessed March 23, 2015).

Agency Responses 9

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

Board of Supervisors

June 01, 2015 • 16 pages View Details ▾

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BOS and Public Works

June 01, 2015 • 6 pages • 1 response • Score: +1 (+1, 0, 0) View Details ▾

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BOS, CEO and HCA

June 02, 2015 • 24 pages • 4 responses • Score: +1 (+1, 3, 0) View Details ▾

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4 responses to findings and recommendations

F03

Bicycle helmet laws for children are not routinely complied with nor enforced. (FA-05, FA-06, FA-07, FA-08)

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

Disagree. As responded to in Fact FA-12, there is an inference that there was a fault in not maintaining a separate resource plan or providing that detail to the Cerner project plan. The HCA project team did maintain a list of resources assigned to the Cerner project teams. This list was used for initial HCA resource budgeting, the basis for weekly monitoring of resources applied to the project, as well as accounting for hours against the resource budget (in conjunction with staff charging to a Cerner specific charge code). Based on the way the resources were assigned and labor tracked, the pr...

F04

Adult bicycle deaths may be reduced if adults wear helmets. (FA-09, FA- 10, FA-11)

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

Disagree. As responded to in Fact FA-12, there is an inference that there was a fault in not maintaining a separate resource plan or providing that detail to the Cerner project plan. The HCA project team did maintain a list of resources assigned to the Cerner project teams. This list was used for initial HCA resource budgeting, the basis for weekly monitoring of resources applied to the project, as well as accounting for hours against the resource budget (in conjunction with staff charging to a Cerner specific charge code). Based on the way the resources were assigned and labor tracked, the pr...

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 6 Countywide Bicycle Safety motor vehicle driving public and bicyclists of their responsibility to know and obey bicycle-related laws. (FI-05, FI-06, FI-07, FI-08, FI-10) Responses required from: Ventura County Board of Supervisors (FI-01, FI-02, FI-03, FI-04, FI-05, FI-06, FI-07...

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

R-04 will be implemented • Recommendation R-02 requires further analysis .

F11

Bicycle advisory commissions/committees, working in conjunction with city councils and/or transportation agencies, have been able to assist local governments in obtaining State, federal, and other grant monies to be used to build bicycling infrastructure and educate the public about pertinent laws and safe riding practices. (FA-21) Recommendations

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

Disagree. The most important measure of sufficiency of the analysts in terms of numbers or skills is whether or not the key dates were met with the needed quality. All of the key dates were met with quality confirmed by the experienced Cerner solution leads. The numbers shown are the staff at implementation. The HCA's staffing was changing monthly as contractors were brought on board and released or HCA staff was replaced, which is typical during a project of this size, scope and duration. It is true that HCA staff had no prior Cerner experience; however, this is typical for new system impleme...

City of Ojai

August 31, 2015 • 2 pages • 4 responses • Score: +4 (+4, 0, 0) View Details ▾

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4 responses to findings and recommendations

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. (FI-01, FI-02, FI-03, FI-05, FI-08)

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

The Ojai Police Department agrees with the findings numbered FI-01, FI-02, FI-03, FI-05 and FI-08 in the Grand Jury report on Countywide Bicycle Safety. As per Grand Jury recommendation number R-01, the Ojai Police Department has conducted shift briefings on bicycle safety and the applicable bicycle and motor vehicle laws officers are to enforce to increase awareness and safety. The Ojai Police Department has increased enforcement and education of the public through routine and directed patrols which includes citations for violators of the law. The Ojai School Resource Officer will be educatin...

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 f...

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

The Ojai Police Department agrees with the findings numbered FI-01, FI-02, FI-03, FI-05 and FI-08 in the Grand Jury report on Countywide Bicycle Safety. As per Grand Jury recommendation number R-01, the Ojai Police Department has conducted shift briefings on bicycle safety and the applicable bicycle and motor vehicle laws officers are to enforce to increase awareness and safety. The Ojai Police Department has increased enforcement and education of the public through routine and directed patrols which includes citations for violators of the law. The Ojai School Resource Officer will be educatin...

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. (FI-06, FI-07, FI-10)

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

The Ojai Police Department agrees with the findings numbered FI-01, FI-02, FI-03, FI-05 and FI-08 in the Grand Jury report on Countywide Bicycle Safety. As per Grand Jury recommendation number R-01, the Ojai Police Department has conducted shift briefings on bicycle safety and the applicable bicycle and motor vehicle laws officers are to enforce to increase awareness and safety. The Ojai Police Department has increased enforcement and education of the public through routine and directed patrols which includes citations for violators of the law. The Ojai School Resource Officer will be educatin...

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 6 Countywide Bicycle Safety motor vehicle driving public and bicyclists of their responsibility to know and obey bicycle-related laws. (FI-05, FI-06, FI-07, FI-08, FI-10) Responses required from: Ventura County Board of Supervisors (FI-01, FI-02, FI-03, FI-04, FI-05, FI-06, FI-07...

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

The Ojai Police Department agrees with the findings numbered FI-01, FI-02, FI-03, FI-05 and FI-08 in the Grand Jury report on Countywide Bicycle Safety. As per Grand Jury recommendation number R-01, the Ojai Police Department has conducted shift briefings on bicycle safety and the applicable bicycle and motor vehicle laws officers are to enforce to increase awareness and safety. The Ojai Police Department has increased enforcement and education of the public through routine and directed patrols which includes citations for violators of the law. The Ojai School Resource Officer will be educatin...

City of Oxnard

July 22, 2015 • 4 pages View Details ▾

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City of Ventura

July 27, 2015 • 4 pages • 3 responses View Details ▾

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3 responses to findings and recommendations

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. (FI-01, FI-02, FI-03, FI-05, FI-08)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

The Ventura Police Department does encourage our law enforcement personnel to not only conduct enforcement of bicycle and related motor vehicle laws, but we also conduct public education in these areas in an effort to gain compliance from bicyclists and motorists alike. Our enforcement efforts include targeted enforcement efforts conducted by our Traffic Unit through grant funds from the Office of Transportation Safety. Our patrol officers are also encouraged to conduct bicycle related enforcement as part of their normal patrol duties. Such enforcement encounters afford the officer an opportun...

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. (FI-06, FI-07, FI-10)

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

The City partners with the Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) and community partners such as VCCool to develop bicycle safety education programs and put on bicycle rodeos. The City and VUSD are currently working on developing a bicycle safety Page 4 of 4 education program that will be integrated into the middle school physical education curriculum. This project is funded from City and Ventura County Transportation Commission funding. R-04: 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 an...

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 6 Countywide Bicycle Safety motor vehicle driving public and bicyclists of their responsibility to know and obey bicycle-related laws. (FI-05, FI-06, FI-07, FI-08, FI-10) Responses required from: Ventura County Board of Supervisors (FI-01, FI-02, FI-03, FI-04, FI-05, FI-06, FI-07...

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

Agree. Using various sources of media (traditional and social) is an effective way of getting bicycle safety information to the public. The City utilizes these sources as staff resources and funding allow. On July 27, 2015 the Ventura City Council approved this Grand Jury report response and authorized the Mayor to make this reply. We appreciate the Grand Jury's efforts in looking into this important matter. Sincerely, Chuy Hutram Cheryl Heitmann Mayor

Ventura County Sheriff

August 26, 2015 • 10 pages • 3 responses View Details ▾

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3 responses to findings and recommendations

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 f...

Response: Unknown

Scheduled: within 10 days Score: 0

Commission/Committee, the Moorpark Police Department / Ventura County Sheriff's Office will actively support and as needed participate. R-03. The Grand Jury recommends the County Board of Recommendation: 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. Response: The Moorpark Police Department will seek to educate the community and school children on bicycle safety whenever possible throug...

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. (FI-06, FI-07, FI-10)

Response: Unknown

Scheduled: within 10 days Score: 0

The Moorpark Police Department will seek to educate the community and school children on bicycle safety whenever possible through the School Resource Officer and other special events authorized by the City as they occur. R-04. The Grand Jury recommends the County Board of Recommendation: 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 motor vehicle driving public and bicyclists of their responsibility to know and obey bicycle-related laws. Response: The Moorpark Police Depa...

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 6 Countywide Bicycle Safety motor vehicle driving public and bicyclists of their responsibility to know and obey bicycle-related laws. (FI-05, FI-06, FI-07, FI-08, FI-10) Responses required from: Ventura County Board of Supervisors (FI-01, FI-02, FI-03, FI-04, FI-05, FI-06, FI-07...

Response: Unknown

Scheduled: within 10 days Score: 0

The Moorpark Police Department will seek opportunities to utilize local media to educate the community including drivers, bicyclists, and school age children on bicycle safety. Thank you for the opportunity to respond to this Grand Jury report. If additional explanation is needed, please feel free to contact Captain Stephen Wade at (805)832- 2705 or Stephen Wade@Ventura.Org <b>OJAI POLICE DEPARTMENT:</b> Finding: FI-01. Throughout the County, law enforcement personnel rarely enforce helmet laws. They do not enforce bicycle licensing ordinances. Response: The Ojai Police Department agrees with ...

City of Simi Valley

August 20, 2015 • 6 pages View Details ▾

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City of Fillmore

July 22, 2015 • 4 pages View Details ▾

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