In 2007, Culver City pursued grant funding to create a healthier, more vibrant city by impoving the walkability and bikeability of the City. Culver City noted that studies have shown residents want to live in and around areas that are more walk and bike-friendly and that adding or improving walking and biking infrastructure was also shown to increase property values and small business revenue. The City submitted a “Policies for Livable Active Communities and Environments” (PLACE) Program grant application to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH), for the preparation of the City’s first Citywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (BPMP) and the implementation of the BPMP through initiating grant funded programs, review and updating of City’s related plans, codes, policies and standards, and the installation of physical bikeway improvements.
Culver City was awarded the PLACE grant and subsequently contracted with Alta Planning + Design to produce the BPMP. The project included surveying and analyzing all of Culver City, identifying existing walking and biking routes and where improvements could be made. In 2010, the BPMP was unanimously approved by the City Council and adopted the goal:
To transform the City into a place with an extensive bicycle and pedestrian network that allows travelers of all levels and abilities to feel comfortable walking and biking to their destinations. In so doing, encourage more people to forgo car trips, when possible, in favor of alternative forms of transportation and become truly bicycle and pedestrian friendly.
Since its adoption, the BPMP has provided a blueprint for City to follow when implementing public Capital Improvement Projects and approving private development projects. View/download the BPMP HERE
The BPMP recognizes the importance of Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs in helping to attain the goal and embraces the active pursuit of SRTS grant funding. During the BPMP drafting process the City in partnership with the DPH and the School District, recognized that encouraging more children to walk and bike to school would have many benefits such as reduced traffic, safer streets and healthier children. The City, working with DPH and the School District, applied for Safe Routes to School funding through the California program. In 2010 the City was awarded a California SRTS Infrastructure grant to improve the built environment around Linwood E. Howe Elementary School. These improvements (Started March 24, 2014) will add curb extensions, roadway striping and new crosswalks improvements to 13 intersections in the neighborhood of the school. These curb extensions have many benefits, including creating shorter crossings for pedestrians, reducing the speed of traffic and creating more visibility at each intersection. These improvements will improve the safety in the neighborhood, not just for students and parents walking or biking to school, but for all users in the area.
In 2012, the City was awarded a Federal SRTS Non-infrastructure grant to concentrate on a city-wide education and encouragement program. Ambitious in its scope, over the next 4-years the program aimed to create and implement a sustainable program to service all five elementary schools and the middle school in Culver City. For more information on the Culver City Non-Infrastructure SRTS Program, click HERE
In 2017 upon completion of the federally-funded program, the City of Culver City and CCUSD mutually agreed to continue funding Safe Routes to School activities with a reduced scope. Currently, the City contracts with Walk ‘n Rollers to oversee and coordinate the program to ensure it’s continued success.
