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 2023, SafeTREC and Cal Walks have conducted 126 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 Public Engagement and Policy Lead 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 and its impact on a regular basis. Please see below for a list of recent follow-up surveys and an evaluation of the effectiveness of the CPBST:
- Toward a Better Understanding of Best Implementation Practice for the Community Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Training Program. Aqshems Nichols, Areli Ariana Balderrama, and Katherine L. Chen (2023)
- 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
A Planning Committee drawing from local residents, schools, agencies and other safety partners is recruited for each community we work with to plan the CPBST workshop. During the workshop, the Project Team reviews local crash data and the community’s traffic safety experiences, educates participants on pedestrian and bicycle safety best practices, guides participants on a walking and biking safety assessment, and culminates in identifying actionable next steps. The CPBST is committed to equitable and accessible 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: (1) reviews pedestrian and bicycle crash data and safety strategies; (2) facilitates a walking and biking assessment; (3) strategizes with participants to define specific community pedestrian and bicycle safety goals and actionable next steps; and (4) empowers participants to strengthen collaborations to implement specific walking and biking safety recommendations.
Upcoming 2024 Community Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Trainings
This year, the Community Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Training (CPBST) Program will partner with communities throughout California to discuss, plan, and implement active transportation safety improvements. Applications for the 2024 program is expected to open mid-December and will be accepted on a rolling basis until all slots are filled. For early consideration, we encourage you to apply by January 19, 2024. Have questions or need help with your application? Email cpbst@berkeley.edu
