Long Beach is currently celebrating the sixth annual Safe Streets Awareness Week with a series of free community events intended to promote traffic safety, active transportation and stronger neighborhood connections.
Safe Streets Awareness Week — which this year, has the theme, “Long Beach Moves Together” — began on Monday, Aug. 17, and will continue through Saturday, Aug. 22. Throughout the week, the city is conducting workshops, community outreach and family-friendly activities, according to a press release.
“Safe streets are a shared responsibility, and everyone has a role in making Long Beach safer,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement. “Through Long Beach Moves Together, we’re bringing our community together to build awareness, strengthen connections and encourage safer choices, however people travel throughout our city.”
Four community events, hosted by the health department, offer opportunities for people of all ages to learn about and practice safe driving, biking and walking, the press release said.
The first event, a Safe Driving Role Models Workshop, took place on Tuesday.
Long Beach is also scheduled to host a Movies in the Park event on Wednesday evening at Recreation Park. Attendees can connect with Walk and Roll Long Beach, and GreenlightLB before the movie starts for bicycle and pedestrian safety, impaired driving and distracted driving resources. MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center will also be providing free helmets while supplies last.
A Sober Streets Nightlife Pop-Up will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Belmont Shore during the Stroll and Savor event. The pop-up will have free resources and tips to help plan ahead for a sober ride home and keep Long Beach roads safe.
The final event will be a Friday Night Lights Bike Ride on Friday, beginning at Bixby Park, 130 Cherry Ave. Those planning to ride along must meet at 6:45 p.m.; the ride will depart at 7:15 p.m. LED bracelets and lights will be provided while supplies last, officials said.
The weeklong campaign is intended to support the city’s ongoing Vision Zero Plan and transportation safety efforts by connecting residents with safety education, community resources and opportunities to engage with local partners committed to reducing traffic-related injuries and fatalities, the press release said.
Long Beach is also working to advance traffic safety through the Public Works Department’s Neighborhood Traffic Management Program, which is trying to address neighborhood traffic concerns through data-driven improvements and installing automated speed safety cameras along some of the city’s highest-need corridors.
This year’s events are made possible by the California Office of Traffic Safety, Caltrans Active Transportation Program and the Port of Long Beach.
“Preventing traffic injuries starts with giving people practical information and opportunities to put safe practices into action,” health department Director Alison King said in a statement. “Safe Streets Awareness Week connects our community with education and resources that can help people make safer choices when walking, biking, rolling or driving.”