This February, 2015 letter about sidewalk issues in Santa Cruz was written by Mission: Pedestrian, a Santa Cruz-based organization dedicated to making the walking part of your trip safe and enjoyable. The Sierra Club supports transportation policy and systems that, among other things, "provide everyone, including pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users, with adequate access to jobs, shopping, services and recreation" and "ensure vigorous and effective public participation in transportation planning." This letter advocates for these values, as well, which is why we're promoting it on our website. Learn more about the Sierra Club Transportation Policy here.

Dear Elderly & Disabled Transportation Advisory Committee Members, City Council and Public Works Department,

We would like to bring to your attention the great need for sidewalks in the City of Santa Cruz.

Many of the busy streets in the City are missing sidewalk segments. Often the sidewalk segments which do exist are on opposite sides of the street forcing pedestrians to either walk in the street or cross unprotected mid block. Some of the streets with long segments of missing sidewalks are very busy and wide making them difficult to cross to reach a sidewalk on the other side.

These streets include:
Delaware Avenue. There are long segments west of Swift and many shorter missing segments east of Swift
Western Drive east side of street
Bayona - an especially dangerous missing segment of Bayona is on the west side of the street at the crest of the hill. Pedestrians are forced to walk in the street. The hill crest makes them invisible to drivers heading downhill.
Escalona Drive
Spring Street
Almar Avenue, this Collector street used by many pedestrians accessing Safeway and other businesses. Gaps in the sidewalk force pedestrians to walk in the street.
Bay Street between Escalona and King on the west side of the street

The 2003 City of Santa Cruz Master Transportation Study states as goals:

"Close all gaps in the pedestrian network and connect all major destinations and activity centers."
"Provide optimal safety for vulnerable populations (e.g., pedestrians, cyclists, children, elderly, disabled)" Forcing people to walk in the street does not promote safety.

Here's what it looks like on the ground.

Missing sidewalk segments, 900 block of Delaware (image from Google Maps)

Grandfather with grandkids on west Delaware returning from Natural Bridges State Park

Woman using walker forced to be in the street on upper Miramar

Your attention to these dangerous areas is much appreciated.

Debbie Bulger, for Mission: Pedestrian

Mission: Pedestrian is a member of CaliforniaWalks, a statewide organization of affiliated nonprofit and volunteer groups dedicated to creating healthy, safe, and walkable communities. The local group started in 1997 when Caltrans was widening Mission Street in Santa Cruz. Members wanted a street that would be safe for pedestrians to cross.