Gilroy Moves Safely
We all have somewhere to be every day. Gilroy residents and visitors depend on the streets and roadways to get to their destinations. Your family wants you home safe, and everyone should feel secure while traveling in their community. Let's work together to share the road and make sure everyone in Gilroy moves safely!
Gilroy Moves Safely is a local campaign designed to promote positive health and traffic safety messages for everyone moving around Eastside Gilroy - whether walking, biking, or driving. The campaign will run from April through May 2024 in various media outlets in the community.
Why moving safely around Gilroy matters
When you walk, bike, take transit and drive around Gilroy, you are part of a community of "active" commuters. No matter how you get to places, being safe while getting there is important to the health of all residents. The following highlights the many benefits of moving around Gilroy safely.
Walk, bike, and drive safely in Gilroy. This helps make the roads safer for everyone including GIlroy residents.
When we all move safely in Gilroy, it makes it easy for people of all ages and abilities to get around. This makes them feel included as part of Gilroy's urban planning.
When we all move safely in Gilroy, we prevent crashes and reduce injuries from them. This promotes the general health and well-being of Gilroy's residents.
Cars on the road release greenhouse gasses and other air pollutants. By choosing to walk and bike rather than using a car you help improve the air quality in your community.
When we all walk, bike, and drive safely in Gilroy, we create friendly places to that are easy to move around.
Less crashes reduces healthcare costs, property damage, and increases economic productivity. This benefits both individuals and the community.
Safety tips
Pedestrians:
- Use crosswalks and obey traffic signals. Always cross streets at designated crosswalks or intersections. Obey traffic signals and walk/don't walk signs (when available). Always wait for a green light or the "walk" signal before crossing.
- Walk on sidewalks. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
- Stay alert and avoid distractions. Pay close attention to your surroundings. Avoid texting, using headphones, or talking on the phone while walking. Being aware of your environment lets you react quickly to potential hazards.
- Be visible at all times. Wear bright or light-colored clothing, especially when it's dark and visibility is poor. Consider wearing reflective apparel such as vests, bands, or shoes to help drivers see you.
- Make eye contact with drivers at intersections and crosswalk. This lets you know that they see you and acknowledge your intent to cross the street.
- Look before you step. Always look left, right, and left again before stepping off the curb to cross the street. Even if you have the right of way, it's critical to confirm that drivers have noticed you and have come to a stop.
Follow these safety tips:
- Obey all traffic laws and use hand signals just like you would if you were driving a car. You must obey stop signs and red lights. Following basic right-of way rules can help avoid sudden turns that can catch drivers off guard. Bicyclists can also register their bicycles for free through the city of Gilroy. Learn more here.
- Ride in the same direction as cars. Bicyclists should be on the right side of the road and avoid riding sidewalks when possible. Drivers are not looking for bicyclists who are going in the wrong direction.
- Watch for pedestrians. Bicyclists should yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.
- Stay alert and avoid distractions. Keep your attention on the road. Watch for drivers and pedestrians and prepare to react quickly to surprises. Just like for walkers, avoid using your phone or headphones while bicycling. Stay focused on the road and your surroundings.
- Be visible at all times. Wear a helmet that fits properly to protect your head in case of a fall or collision. Helmets should fit snug, sit level on your head, above your eyebrows, and always buckled firmly under your chin. It’s the law for children and youth under 18 years of age. If possible, wear knee pads and elbow pads. Make sure that your bike has both a white front headlight and red taillights and reflectors. Wear bright clothing and reflective gear. Especially, when riding at night or in low-light conditions.
- Plan safe routes. Plan your route early to ride on streets with bike lanes or bike paths when possible. Try to stay away from busy roads with lots of traffic. Choose roads with lower speed limits and more space for bicyclists. Be aware of parked cars and when a driver suddenly opens a car door into your path.
- Use special bike lanes, paths, and routes whenever possible. These helps keep bicyclists safe and separate from cars.
Drivers:
- Obey all traffic laws. Follow the speed limits when around people walking or cycling on the street. This is especially important when around children and families.
- Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists in crosswalks and intersections! Pedestrians and bicyclists have the right-of-way when entering or occupying the crosswalk. Slow down as you approach a crosswalk or intersection to avoid a crash.
- Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk or intersection. There may be people crossing that you cannot see.
- Bike lanes are for bicyclists. Never block or park in a bike lane. This creates unsafe situations for all road users.
- Bicyclists are motorists too! They have the same right to be in the center of most road lanes, especially if there is a sharrow symbol.
- Stay alert and avoid distractions! Scan the road and sides of road for pedestrians and bicyclists. Stay off your phone. Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
- Look out for bicyclists. Look over your shoulder for bicyclists when opening your door while parallel parked.
- Pass bicyclists at a safe distance. Passing cyclists too closely is dangerous and illegal. The driver must allow at least three feet when passing a bicyclist - a distance mandated by state law.
- Be cautious when backing up. Pedestrians and bicyclists can move into your path.
By working together, we can move around Gilroy safely.
- Share your safety experiences.
- Attend local safety events.
- Join a community initiaitve focused on pedestrian and bicylcist safety.
To learn more, email the Active and Safe Communities Program.
The Gilroy Moves Initiative is funded by a grant from the California Active Transportation Program (ATP) through the California Transportation Comission.
Resources
Below are resources to support safe walking, biking, and rolling in Gilroy:
- Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety for Parents and Youth Booklet - English / Vietnamese
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Use Your Head, Wear A Helmet - English / Vietnamese
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Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Tips - English
Take the pledge
By clicking the button below, I pledge to:
- Follow the rules of the road whether I walk, bike, roll or drive in Gilroy
- Slow down and watch out for pedestrians and bicyclists
- Stay alert and avoid distractions, including no texting or talking on the phone while driving
- Use intersections and designated crosswalks and make eye contact with drivers before I step into the street
- Share the road with all Gilroy residents and visitors
- Make Gilroy a safer place for all to get around
- Share the Gilroy Moves Safely vision with family and friends
Pledge to move around safely in Gilroy
Share the pledge!
Together we can make safety a priority on Gilroy roads. Thank you for your commitment to ensure that Gilroy Moves Safely and for sharing the road whether you are walking, biking, or driving. Here are some additional ways you can help everyone around you get to their home safely:
- Watch these videos with safety tips to move around Gilroy safely.
- Download these traffic safety tips.
- Share your commitment to sharing the road with others! Tell them to visit sccphd.org/GilroyMoves to learn more.