GREENFIELD — County of Monterey Health Department’s Public Health Bureau is the recipient of a $250,262 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to support its Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program.
The grant will promote safe practices for pedestrians and bicyclists in the city of Greenfield and provide education about the importance of sharing the road.
Greenfield was selected for this grant due to the recent increase in automobiles crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists. In 2019, the South Monterey County town was ranked eighth for crashes involving pedestrians. In 2020, it was 13th for crashes involving bicyclists.
“Monterey County Public Health is excited to continue working with OTS to promote walking and biking to and from school and provide safety education,” according to a County news release. “OTS funding will support continued outreach and education in the City of Greenfield while making walking and biking to school safer, more interactive and fun for families and students.”
Grant funds will support a variety of activities focused on bicycle and pedestrian safety:
- Helmet fitting inspections and distribution of helmets to those in need;
- Community and school education presentations on best biking/walking practices;
- Educational presentations to youth and older adults on safe walking habits; and
- Participate in community events that promote the importance of visibility on roads with safety equipment such as reflective armbands/leg bands and bicycle headlights/taillights.
“Everyone deserves a safe environment to travel, regardless of how people get to places,” said OTS Director Barbara Rooney. “The safety of people walking and biking on our roads is a high priority. Education plays a pivotal role in creating a strong road safety culture that prioritizes traffic safety, especially for our most vulnerable road users.”
The grant program will run through September 2024. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
