A Resolution of the Bakersfield City Council Adopting a Traffic Safety Policy for the Construction and Improvement of City Streets.
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RESOLUTION NO. __________________
A RESOLUTION OF THE BAKERSFIELD CITY COUNCIL
ADOPTING A TRAFFIC SAFETY POLICY FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF CITY STREETS
WHEREAS, on July 12, 2023, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 108 -2023, updating the City’s Complete Streets Policy to affirm the Council’s direction to incorporate a context-sensitive “Complete Streets” approach to the planning, design, development, construction and maintenance of City facilities; and
WHEREAS, on November 29, 2023, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 5143, adding Section 13.12.035 to the Bakersfield Municipal Code to formally incorporate the Complete Streets Policy into the City’s design standards, and directing City staff to incorporate a multi -modal approach with complete streets features in the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of transportation projects; and
WHEREAS, state law, including Streets and Highways Code section 890 et seq. (the “California Bicycle Transportation Act”) and Vehicle Code section 21949, establishes State legislative intent to allow people of all ages using all types of mobility devices to safely travel on public roads, unless prohibited by Vehicle Code section 21960; and
WHEREAS, on July 15, 2026 , the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 5221 to adopt by reference the Urban Street Design Guide, published by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO, most recent edition), and include it as an approved standard manual in the City’s development improvement standards and specifications set forth in Bakersfield Municipal Code section 13.12.030(B); and
WHEREAS, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have both endorsed the NACTO guidelines to advance complete street planning, design, and engineering practices; and
WHEREAS, the Urban Street Design Guid e acknowledges that consideration of lane widths for motorists, buses, trucks, bikes, and parked cars should all be considered to delineate space that safely serves all needs; and
WHEREAS, the Urban Street Design Guide states that vehicle lane widths of ten (10) feet are appropriate in urban areas and have a positive impact on safety without impacting traffic operations; and
A Resolution of the Bakersfield City Council Adopting a Traffic Safety Policy for the Construction and Improvement of City Streets.
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WHEREAS, as referenced in the Urban Street Design Guide, research suggests that lane widths less than twelve (12) feet on urban and suburban arterials do not increase crash frequencies, and narrower lane widths can effectively manage speeds without decreasing safety (e.g., see Dumbaugh and Li, “Designing for the Safety of Pedestrians, Cyclists, and Motorists in Urban Environments” Journal of the American Planning Association 77 (2011): 70); and
WHEREAS, the City Council therefore finds that the Urban Street Design Guide (NACTO, most recent edition) is consistent with the City’s Complete Streets Policy and the Bakersfield Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, the City Council intends by this resolution to adopt a Council policy that establishes the priorities and preferences for design standards to be used for the construction and improvement of City roadways.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Bakersfield as follows:
1. The above recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference.
2. The City Council hereby establishes the following priorities in the construction, design, and improvement of City streets:
A. Reliance on the design standards for lane widths and bicycle facilities set forth in the Urban Street Design Guide, published by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO, most recent edition) is preferred and shall be utilized whenever feasible.
B. In order to prioritize roadway safety for all users of City streets , bicycle lanes with wider widths than the minimum required and/or buffered bicycle lanes shall be incorporated into City street designs, unless determined infeasible due to constraints in the existing roadway conditions and/or built environment.
3. Nothing in this resolution is intended to remove the discretionary authority granted to the City Public Works Director and/or designated City Engineer in developing and approving plans for City projects, as set forth in applicable state law and Bakersfield Municipal Code sections 13.12.040 and 13.12.050.
4. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption. ---------o0o---------
A Resolution of the Bakersfield City Council Adopting a Traffic Safety Policy for the Construction and Improvement of City Streets.
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I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted by the Council of the City of Bakersfield at a regular meeting thereof held on _ , by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBER ARIAS, GONZALES, WEIR, SMITH, KOMAN, BASHIRTASH, KAUR NOES: COUNCILMEMBER
ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBER
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBER
JULIE DRIMAKIS, CPMC, MMC
CITY CLERK and EX OFFICIO CLERK of the Council of
the City of Bakersfield
APPROVED: _________________
By
KAREN GOH
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By___________________________
ASHLEY E. ZAMBRANO
Deputy City Attorney
A Resolution of the Bakersfield City Council Adopting a Traffic Safety Policy for the Construction and Improvement of City Streets.
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