Safe Streets Petaluma
Creating Safe, Healthy, and Affordable Mobility Choices for Everyone
Our Goal:
By 2030…. Wherever in Petaluma anyone wants to go, they can get there swiftly and safely, with or without a car, as a part of our mission to revitalize community.
Why Safe Streets Petaluma?
We love Petaluma — the places, the people, and the things people do for each other. But like in so many other American towns, people can have a challenging time trying to get places to do things if they’re not in a car. After two decades of creating great plans and setting bold goals for “a seamless network of low-stress walking and rolling routes,” it’s time to build!
Safe Streets Petaluma was formed in 2022 by Petalumans seeking a more affordable, climate-smart and healthy community.
Considering that:
- Cars are producing ⅔ of our greenhouse gas pollution.
- Owning and operating a car is simply not an option for many people.
- Petaluma’s weather and topography are perfect for people-powered transportation.
… the solution was obvious:
Build the infrastructure for car-alternative travel.
The beauty of this win-win strategy is that the driving experience is improved when people on bikes, e-bikes, and scooters have their own safe place to roll. It reduces both traffic congestion and the potential for collisions.
What We Do
Educate and Advocate:
- We lead monthly and special bike rides, like our popular First Friday @ 5 events, highlighting great routes and areas needing improvement.
- Our volunteer experts support Petaluma City staff and commissions in developing street improvement plans, standards and designs.
- Through online outreach and in-person events, we explain how active transportation works and how it benefits the community.
- We rally public support for safer streets and encourage residents to take action — like signing our Complete Streets petition.)
Build and Celebrate:
- We team up with the City, schools, and neighborhoods to build temporary safe-streets demos so residents can experience and refine future designs. Once projects are complete, we bring the community together with celebratory events.
