WHEREAS, Walktober is a 31-day health campaign designed to motivate and inspire the community to become more active; and WHEREAS, walking is a healthy mode of travel that is environmentally friendly and beneficial to one’s health; and WHEREAS, the safety of people outside of vehicles is a significant traffic safety concern, with at least two pedestrians or bicyclists killed on California roads every day; and WHEREAS, individuals are more likely to engage in walking when communities are safe and attractive public places; and WHEREAS, the City promotes walking and movement as a means to support health, economic vitality, environmental sustainability, social equity; and WHEREAS, the Costa Mesa City Council has adopted Advance Environmental Sustainability and Climate Resiliency as a Goal and Objective, which includes a Pedestrian Master Plan update; and WHEREAS, the Public Works Transportation Services Division is committed to enhancing the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists by improving the City’s transportation infrastructure; and WHEREAS, numerous pedestrian safety measures have been undertaken by the City of Costa Mesa, such as leading pedestrian intervals, accessible pedestrian signals, improved signal timing, and pedestrian countdown displays; and WHEREAS, the City of Costa Mesa hosted several Walk to School events throughout the City, with hundreds of students participating, to raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion and concern for the environment.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, John B. Stephens, Mayor of the City of Costa Mesa, do hereby proclaim the month of October 2023 as Walktober Month. I encourage our residents to rededicate themselves to enjoying the benefits of walking and ensuring the safety of pedestrians in our community.
DATED this 3rd day of October 2023.
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John B. Stephens, Mayor of the City of Costa Mesa