The Community Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Training (CPBST) program is a joint project of UC Berkeley SafeTREC and California Walks (Cal Walks). Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The CPBST program works with local neighborhood residents and health, transportation, and safety advocates to understand a community’s walking and biking safety concerns and advance their pedestrian and bicycle safety goals. We work to strengthen collaboration between all safety partners, discuss transportation safety information and local crash data, and collectively develop a community-driven safety action plan. Our team works with a local Planning Committee to customize the workshop to fit the unique needs of each community.
The program began in 2009 as the Community Pedestrian Safety Training (CPST) program, and was expanded in 2016 to incorporate strategies to improve bicycle safety and renamed the Community Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Training (CPBST) program.
Results
As of 2022, SafeTREC and Cal Walks have conducted 119 pedestrian and bicycle safety trainings throughout California. While our curriculum was developed for in-person workshops, it has been successfully adapted for virtual convenings as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. To learn more about how the CPBST program was adapted, watch this presentation with UC Berkeley SafeTREC Senior Program & Policy Analyst Katherine Chen, "Community Engagement: Pivoting active transportation community engagement planning during the COVID-19 pandemic."
Explore our interactive map of the CPBST Program to view summary reports (where available) of each workshop proceeding, including ideas identified during the process and recommendations for pedestrian/bicycle safety projects, policies, and programs.
View a web-accessible, text version of the CPBST Interactive Map.
The CPBST team reviews the program on a regular basis. Please see below for a list of recent follow-up surveys and an evaluation of the effectiveness of the CPBST:
- Community Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Training (CPBST) Program Workshop Follow-Up Survey Highlights: 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020
- Conducting Community Engagement with a Safe System Lens. Katherine L. Chen and Jill F. Cooper (2021)
- How effective are community pedestrian safety training workshops? Short-term findings from a program in California. Jesus M. Barajas, Kate M. Beck, Jill F. Cooper, Ana Lopez, Amanda Reynosa (2019)
- Community Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Training Program Evaluation Report. Sarah Doggett, Kate M. Beck, Ana Lopez, Jill F. Cooper (2019)
About the CPBST
The CPBST works with local residents, schools, agencies, and other safety partners to build synergy and develop a tailored, community-driven action plan to improve walking and biking safety and strengthen collaboration. During the workshop, we will review local crash data and the community’s traffic safety experiences, educate participants on pedestrian and bicycle safety best practices, guide participants on a walking and biking safety assessment, and culminate in identifying actionable next steps. The CPBST is committed to equitable community outreach and engagement in active transportation planning. We prioritize working in communities that are at higher risk for road traffic injuries and addressing the safety needs of people who are underserved by traditional transportation planning and resources.
The CPBST team adapted the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Safe System elements and principles to make it more impactful for grassroots community engagement. Specifically, we emphasize the role of community-based expertise and strengthen collaboration between transportation professionals and communities to create lasting safety and mobility improvements. Within the Safe System framework, the team will: (1) review pedestrian and bicycle crash data and safety strategies; (2) facilitate a walking and biking assessment; (3) strategize with participants to define specific community pedestrian and bicycle safety goals and actionable next steps; and (4) empower participants to strengthen collaborations to implement specific walking and biking safety recommendations.
The CPBST strives for equitable engagement and accessibility. In 2020, the curriculum was adapted for virtual convenings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Moving forward, CPBST workshops will be offered in-person, online, or hybrid to meet your community’s needs, pursuant to public health guidance.
Learn more: download the 2023 CPBST Fact Sheet: English / Spanish
2023 CPBST Community Workshops
This year, the Community Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Training (CPBST) Program will partner with 7 communities throughout California to discuss, plan, and implement active transportation safety improvements. Explore our upcoming trainings below!
| Community | Training Date | Flyer |
|---|---|---|
| Arlanza Elementary School, Riverside | Monday, May 8, 2023 | 830am - 1130am | English | Spanish |
| Westmont High School, Campbell | Monday, May 15, 2023 | 3:15pm - 6:45pm | Download the flyer |
| Arvin | Tuesday, June 13, 2023 | 4:00pm - 7:00pm | English | Spanish |
| Bell Gardens | Tuesday, July 11, 2023 | 4:30pm - 7:30pm | English | Spanish |
| Liberty Elementary School, Riverside | Thursday, August 17, 2023 | 4:00pm - 7:00pm | English | Spanish |
| Menifee | Wednesday, August 23, 2023 | 5:30pm - 7:30pm | English | Spanish |
| Cal Poly, Pomona | Tuesday, September 19, 2023 | 11:00am - 1:30pm | Download the flyer |
Interested in learning more or have questions about the program? Please contact us at safetrec@berkeley.edu.
We are offering follow-up support to former CPBST sites!
This year we will be providing follow-up support to five former CPBST sites in California to support their community’s implementation of programs, projects, and recommendations outlined in their community action plan:
- South Stockton
- Castro Valley
- El Cerrito/Richmond Annex
- Madera
- West Modesto
To learn more, download the 2023 CPBST Follow-up TA Menu English / Spanish or please contact Kristen Leckie at kristenmleckie@berkeley.edu.
2023 Peer Exchange Series: My community is energized about pedestrian and bicycle safety! Where do we go from here?
We were excited to again host our three-part Peer Exchange Series program this year! The series supports communities as they work to implement pedestrian and bicycle transportation safety programming and improvements. For 2023, we hosted sessions on Funding Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety, Media Framing and Advocacy, and Safe Routes to Parks.
Learn more: download the 2023 Peer Exchange Flyer.
Visit the 2023 Peer Exchange Series webpage to learn more and view presentation slides and session summaries from this year's program and the 2022 Strengthening Partnerships Peer Exchange Series.
Safe Systems Strategies for Bicyclists and Pedestrians Toolkit
UC Berkeley SafeTREC is excited to share the Safe Systems Strategies for Bicyclists and Pedestrians Toolkit, which provides a starting point for anyone looking to plan a bikeable and walkable community. It lists potential community improvements that can help create a safer community with the Safe System Approach.
We’ve created a table of potential community improvements that can help you create a safer community with the Safe System Approach. There are many ways to plan a bikeable and walkable community; this toolkit is just a starting point.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.