Pedestrian

Caltrans Policies

What is Caltrans?

Caltrans is the California Department of Transportation and is responsible for providing a safe, sustainable, efficient and integrated transportation system that meets the needs of all roadway users in California.

One of Caltrans' primary goals is to promote health through safe active transportation and reduced air pollution. Explore the policy documents listed below to better understand Caltrans guiding principles for making streets safer for people walking and rolling. Do you know of a Caltrans policy...

Vulnerable Road User Laws and Anti-Harassment Ordinances

What are vulnerable road user laws?

Vulnerable road user laws are commonly adopted at the state level and intend to protect vulnerable road users, including people walking, biking, or rolling, from intentionally or negligently motor vehicle driver behavior resulting in injury or death.

These laws protect anyone using shared roadways that are not protected by the steel frame of an automobile and operate on the principle of general deterrence, where there is an increased penalty for those whose motor vehicle driver behavior leads to death or serious injury of vulnerable road users....

California Vehicle Code

The California Vehicle Code (C.V.C) is a rulebook containing information about traffic laws in California. Specific sections of the C.V.C defining rules and laws for pedestrian and bicycle travel are described below. For a detailed catalog of active transportation legislation and resolutions aimed at improving pedestrian and bicycle safety on California roadways, visit our...

April 2025: Highlighting road safety statistics during Distracted Driving and Alcohol Awareness Month

April 25, 2025
Submitted by Karen Nguyen Vo

April marks Distracted Driving Awareness Month and Alcohol Awareness Month, where people are encouraged to explore and consider the negative impacts of distracted driving and alcohol-related issues, respectively. Driving while distracted or intoxicated pose major dangers to all road users, including those who walk, bike, and roll and have less physical barriers against dangerous drivers.

The 2024 SafeTREC Traffic Safety Facts provides the latest traffic safety data from the ...

Crash Data Tools and Resources

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated 39,345 people in the United States died in traffic crashes in 2024. This represents a decrease of about 3.8% compared to the 40,901 fatalities reported in 2023 and marks the first time since 2020 that the number of fatalities fell below 40,000.

“It’s encouraging to see that traffic fatalities are continuing to fall from their COVID pandemic highs. Total road...

The Role of Media and Road Safety

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated 39,345 people in the United States died in traffic crashes in 2024. This represents a decrease of about 3.8% compared to the 40,901 fatalities reported in 2023 and marks the first time since 2020 that the number of fatalities fell below 40,000.

“It’s encouraging to see that traffic fatalities are continuing to fall from their COVID pandemic highs. Total road...

Funding and Programming Opportunities

What is the Funding and Programming Opportunities page and how do I navigate it?

The updated and refreshed Funding and Programming Opportunities page features funding and programmatic resources for transportation safety professionals, planners, advocates, community members, and others alike who want to create more equitable, walkable, and bikeable communities. Resources are organized into five topic areas:

Regional Opportunities; Statewide Opportunities; Federal Opportunities; ...

Register Now: 2025 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program webinars

April 14, 2025
Submitted by Kris Leckie

Interested in applying for the 2025 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant period? The US Department of Transportation (US DOT) is hosting three upcoming informational webinars to prepare you for the application process. Explore the upcoming sessions below and register today.

The 2025 Webinar Series: Safe Streets and Roads for All Grants Implementation Grants
Tuesday, April 15, 2:00–3:30 p.m. ET

This...

Second round of applications open April 29 for the California E-bike Incentive Project

April 11, 2025
Submitted Lisa Peterson

The California E-bike Incentive Project, funded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and originally launched in December, 2024, will open applications for a second round on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 to provide eligible Californians up to $2,000 towards the purchase of a new e-bike. Up to 1,000 applications will be approved....

Community Pedestrian Bicycle Safety Program (CPBSP)

Launched by the UC Berkeley Safe Transportation Research and Education Center (SafeTREC) in collaboration with California Walks, the Community Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program aims to reduce fatalities and serious injuries incurred by pedestrians and bicyclists in California communities. The CPBSP prioritizes working in communities that are at disproportionate risk for road traffic injuries...