As an alumna of UC Davis, a city renowned for its extensive network of bike-friendly routes and facilities, I have personally experienced the profound impact that dedicated bicycle infrastructure can have on the safety and well-being of cyclists. During my time at UC Davis, I rode my bike everywhere: from classes to my apartment and even to the grocery store. I saw firsthand how the bicycle traffic signals installed at busy and high-risk intersections provided cyclists with a clear, protected path to navigate through traffic, significantly reducing the risk of accidents and increasing confidence for riders of all experience levels.

In cities with growing cycling communities, such measures are not just beneficial; they are essential. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 846 cyclists were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2019 in the United States. Many of these tragedies occur at intersections, where cars, pedestrians, and cyclists meet and where the potential for conflict is greatest. By installing dedicated bicycle traffic lights at high-risk intersections, we can address one of the most dangerous areas for cyclists and significantly reduce the number of life-threatening incidents.

Bicycle traffic lights are specifically designed to coordinate cyclist and vehicle movements safely, allowing cyclists the opportunity to cross intersections with the same controlled flow afforded to cars and pedestrians. In Copenhagen, a city that boasts one of the world's most efficient cycling infrastructures, the implementation of bicycle traffic signals is credited with dramatically reducing accidents and encouraging more people to choose cycling as a safe mode of transportation.

Cities around the world are recognizing the importance of investing in cycling infrastructure, particularly in urban areas where congestion and pollution are rampant. By enhancing the safety of intersections with bicycle traffic lights, we can make significant strides towards reducing traffic-related injuries and fatalities, lowering carbon emissions, and fostering healthier, more sustainable urban environments.

Let's urge our city planners and government officials to recognize the critical need for dedicated bicycle traffic signals at high-risk intersections. This small but significant change can save lives, inspire confidence, and promote cycling as a viable, safe alternative to driving.

Help me make the city of Salinas safer one intersection at a time. The first intersection I would target is the intersection of East Laurel Drive & Natividad Road. This intersection is an important but extremely busy area, with a hospital, shopping center and courthouse and police station all located nearby. During peak traffic hours, the combination of heavy vehicle traffic and activity in the surrounding area creates a hectic and potentially dangerous environment for bicyclists.

Please sign this petition to advocate for safer streets and support the implementation of bicycle traffic lights at dangerous intersections.