HomeMy WebLinkAbout032425-03 KALIN, ALAN EMAIL RECVD 032425To: Joe Calabrigo, Town Manager
Date: March 16, 2025
Subject: Urgent Action Needed: Addressing Critical Bicycle Safety Risks in Danville
Dear Joe,
The current state of bicycle safety planning in Danville is deeply concerning. The Danville
Bicycle Master Plan (BMP) and the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which guide critical safety
infrastructure decisions, rely on alarmingly outdated collision data, specifically from 2015 to
2021.
This reliance on incomplete information paints a distorted picture of the actual risks faced by
cyclists in our town. Independent research, leveraging California Highway Patrol’s SWITRS and
Danville’s Crossroads data from 2009 to 2024, has revealed a staggering 188 bicycle-vehicle
collisions—more than double the mere 86 collisions reported in the BMP.
This discrepancy underscores a critical failure to acknowledge and address the true extent of the
safety hazards. We encourage you to explore the Danville Interactive 188 Bike-Vehicle
Collisions Map (2009-2024). The Town must do more to improve bicycle safety. By involving
concerned members of the public, the Town has a lot to gain.
The consequences of this data gap are profound. By basing planning decisions on incomplete
data, we are effectively ignoring years of documented collisions, potentially leaving high -risk
areas without necessary safety upgrades. This not only compromises the effectiveness of the
BMP and CIP but also places cyclists at increased risk of injury.
Furthermore, the Town's commitment to monthly updates of the Danville Pedestrian & Bicycle
Collison Map (2009 to 2022), a critical tool for informed decision-making, has been abandoned
for nearly three years. This lack of transparency and commitment to real-time data further erodes
public trust and puts cyclists at risk.
The absence of a collaborative, data-driven approach is equally troubling. The Bicycle Advisory
Commission (BAC) has repeatedly urged the Town to incorporate all available collision data and
to prioritize safety improvements based on accurate, up-to-date information.
These requests have been largely ignored, resulting in the exclusion of critical high -collision
areas from the CIP list. This disconnect between the BAC, safety advocates, and Town officials
impedes progress and perpetuates a cycle of inadequate safety measures.
To rectify these critical deficiencies and ensure the safety of our community, we propose the
following immediate actions: First, the Town must immediately update the collision data within
the BMP and CIP to reflect the complete 2009-2024 dataset. This will provide a comprehensive
and accurate understanding of collision patterns and inform targeted safety interventions.
Second, the Town must reinstate monthly or at least quarterly updates to the Pedestrian &
Bicycle Collision Map, demonstrating a commitment to transparency and data-driven decision-
making. Third, and perhaps most importantly, we propose the establishment of regular
structured meetings to facilitate collaboration between Danville Safety Advocates, Town Staff,
Bike East Bay, and Bicycle Commissioners. This forum will ensure that all stakeholders have a
voice in the planning process and that safety concerns are addressed proactively and
collaboratively.
With an average of 15 bicycle-vehicle collisions occurring each year, we cannot afford to delay
action any longer. The safety of our residents depends on our ability to prioritize evidence-based
solutions and work together to create a safer environment for cyclists. We urge you to take
immediate steps to implement these recommendations and demonstrate a genuine commitment to
bicycle safety in Danville.
Sincerely,
Danville Safety Advocates Leadership Team - Jeff Eorio, Bruce Bilodeau, Alan Kalin, Todd
Gary, Kyle Smith, Chris Kenber, , Gary Spinella, Ken Mozek, Rick Edmondson and Nicola
Place
CC:
Danville Town Council Members - Renee Morgan, Karen Stepper, Mark Belotz, Robert Storer,
and Newell Arnerich
Town of Danville Staff - Tai William, Assistant Town Manager; Diane Friedmann,
Development Services Director; Thomas Rossberg, Chief of Police; Allen Shields,
Transportation Manager; Rob Ewing, City Attorney; Edwin Martinez, Traffic Engineer
Danville Bicycle Advisory Commissioners - Angela Wang, Jose Gutierrez, Connor Fitzpatrick,
and Chris Heck
Bike East Bay – Robert Prinz (Advocacy Director)