Safety Culver City Celebrates Pedestrian Month

September is Pedestrian Safety Month and Culver City, through a grant from the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), is conducting a month-long celebration of active transportation with a focus on safety. Featuring free workshops and community events including group walks and rides, the goal is to encourage people of all ages to walk and bike more often and increase safety awareness between August 29 and September 26, 2021.

The Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization Walk 'n Rollers will implement the majority of the programming. Walk 'n Rollers has more than 12 years of experience educating and encouraging people of all ages to be more active, primarily through more frequent walking and biking.

Culver City's Department of Public Works, in collaboration with Walk n' Rollers, will host the following Walking and Biking Safety Awareness Events (events subject to change):

• Sunday, September 12: National Grandparents Day; Walk with your elder family & friends

• Saturday, September 18: Harvest Moon Ride - Evening Ride & tips on night riding; 6:30pm; meet at Culver City's Village Well Bookstore

• Sunday, September 19: National Talk Like a Pirate Day - Walking Adventure & Treasure Hunt; Downtown CC

• Wednesday, September 22: Adult Bike Skills Workshop; 10am; CC Senior Center

• Saturday, September 25: National Public Lands Day - Park to Playa Adventure - Family Ride, Trail Ride, Group Walk to explore this amazing resource

• Sunday, September 26: National Family Fitness Day - Historical Walking Tour of Downtown CC; 9am; Culver Hotel

According to Walk Score®, Culver City has an average Walk Score of 75 with 38,883 residents within its five square miles. Culver City has good public transportation and is very bikeable. A score between 70-89 is considered Very Walkable, and that most errands can be accomplished on foot. Unfortunately, Culver City also ranks 7th in the state in pedestrian fatalities of people over the age of 65 presenting an opportunity for improvement.

In addition to Culver City's nearly 40,000 residents, many major companies are headquartered here, which means thousands more people come into the city daily to work. Culver City is encouraging these companies and their employees to follow safety guidelines too, as they walk to get coffee, lunch or an afternoon snack, running errands, enjoying drinks or dinner after work, taking public transit, or commuting via bike and public transit.

"Our goal is to get adults and families to embrace active transportation, and to do it safely," says Walk 'n Rollers Executive Director Jim Shanman. "Culver City is easily walkable and bikeable. Taking a walk on a regular basis is free, healthy and a great way to see the city at street level. No matter how you choose to be active, we believe safety is a habit. Don't break it!"

For more information and tips on walking and biking safely in and around Culver City, as well as more details regarding the Walking and Biking Safety Awareness Events, please visit http://www.culvercity.org/mobility or http://walkmorebikemore.org/ccots/

SAFETY TIPS

Know the Basics - Pedestrian Safety 10 Walking Safety Tips*

1. Be predictable. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.

2. Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.

3. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.

4. Stay alert at all times; don't be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes (and ears) off the road.

5. Whenever possible, cross streets at crosswalks or intersections, where drivers expect pedestrians. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.

6. If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross.

7. Never assume a driver sees you. Make eye contact with drivers as they approach to make sure you are seen.

8. Be visible at all times. Wear bright clothing during the day, and wear reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.

9. Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.

10. Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment.

Bike Safety Tips*

• ALWAYS wear a helmet. In California, riders under 18 must wear a helmet, but we recommend EVERYONE wear one at all times when cycling.

• Be visible – Avoid blind spots of cars. Pay extra attention at alleys, driveways.

• Be predictable. Ride on the street, in the direction of traffic.

• Follow the law. Stop at all stop signs and traffic lights. Yield the right away.

• Bikes must ride on the right side of the road, with the flow of traffic – do NOT ride against traffic

• Use hand signals when turning

• Your bike should have a proper set of reflectors: Front (white), back (red), pedals (yellow/white) and wheels (white). Add lights if you're riding at night. A front light is required by law for night riding, but we recommend a back light as well.

• Do not wear headphones or headsets when riding

• Do not use a cellphone while riding

• Carry a water bottle.

• If you are biking in the evening be sure to wear bright clothing, reflectors or carry a light.

• Carry a bike lock and remember to lock your bike.

• Check that your bike is ready to ride. Keep your tires inflated, seat properly adjusted and make sure brakes and gears are operating correctly. Perform an ABC Quick Check before every ride: A = Air Pressure; B = Brakes; C = Chain and Drive train; Quick = quick releases; Check = take a quick spin to insure everything is in good working order. See the videos below for Tips

Why Walk?

Maintaining or increasing ones' strength, endurance, balance, and flexibility are key factors to staying fit. Walking builds your strength and endurance, which contributes to better balance. You can improve your flexibility with stretching exercises designed specifically for older adults. By striving to increase all four factors, you lower your risk of injury and slow the aging process in your joints and muscles.

Additional reasons to take a walk, whether it's one block, one mile, or the length of Culver City:

• Strengthens muscles

• Builds endurance

• Increases Flexibility

• Helps prevent weight gain

• Lower risks of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and osteoporosis

• Improve balance

• Lowers the likelihood of falling

• Minimal impact

• Builds long-term health

Long-Term Benefits

• Lower blood pressure.

• Lower cholesterol.

• Strengthened heart and cardiovascular system.

• Increased bone density.

• Production of growth hormones that counteract the effects of aging.

• Increased production of endorphins improves mental and physical health.

• Weight loss or weight maintenance.

• Strengthened nervous system and reflexes.

Find Reasons to Walk

• Run errands on foot instead of by car

• Walk your dog or your neighbor's dog

• Walk in a group: Take a walk with your kids, your grandkids, your parents, or neighbors

• Walk your kids to and from school or take the three-block challenge and park three blocks

• from campus and walk the rest

• Walk to a neighborhood restaurant for dinner.

• Have a meeting on foot, instead of in an office or by phone / zoom.

• Get out and take a walk just for the health of it