San Diego launches 'Slow Streets' pilot program

San Diego's 'Slow Streets' pilot program will repurpose public streets to create more outdoor space for residents and encourage safe walking and cycling while physical distancing. The pilot will start by closing portions of four streets to through-traffic, and the city will evaluate rolling out the program to further locations. The city’s Sustainability, Transportation and Storm Water and Planning departments worked closely with the community and transportation stakeholders to develop the pilot plan. Organizations involved included the City of San Diego Mobility Board, Circulate San Diego, San Diego Bicycle Coalition, BikeSD and the Climate Action Campaign. The Transportation & Storm Water and Planning Departments will develop a public education campaign to increase pedestrian awareness and safety practices for shared roadways that adhere to physical distancing requirements. The City will also reopen key bikeways as transportation corridors to connect essential workers to their jobs. This includes major commuter bikeways like the SR-56 Bikeway, the San Diego River Bikeway from Ocean Beach east to Mission Valley, Rose Creek Bikeway, Rose Canyon Bikeway, the SR-52 Bikeway and Murphy Canyon along I-15 and Lake Hodges Bridge.