Active Transportation Advisory Committee (ATAC)
Semi-Annual Report (November 2023 – April 2024)
During the period covered by this report the Active Transportation Advisory Committee conducted 5 meetings, as well as hosted the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. In addition, members are active in various capacities throughout the community, leading bike rides and repair clinics, being involved in various plan updates, and conducting advocacy.
Current status of Officers
Laura Gromis – Chair
Sean Zweifler – Vice Chair
Gabriel Lozano – Secretary
Current status of Members
District 1 - Sean Zweifler (first term) expires Nov 1, 2026 District 2 - Laura Gromis
District 3 – Julie Congi (first term) – expires March 30, 2026 District 4 – vacant
District 5 - Gabriel Lozano (first term) – expires August 11, 2025 District 6 - Steven Bradley (second term) - expires February 9, 2026 Mayoral Appointment #1 - Paul Marquez
Mayoral Appointment #2 – vacant
Current Statistics of Pedestrian and Bicycle Fatalities Within the City of Fresno Limits:
2018 Total Collisions: 3,208
• Pedestrians - 213 (25 deaths)
• Bicyclists - 117 (5 deaths)
2019 Total Collisions: 3,095
• Pedestrians - 180 (20 deaths)
• Bicyclists - 89 (3 deaths)
2020 Total Collisions: 3,273
• Pedestrians - 172 (29 deaths)
• Bicyclists - 73 (6 deaths)
2021 Total Collisions: 3,807
• Pedestrians - 204 (22 deaths)
• Bicyclists - 84 (3 deaths)
2022 Total Collisions: 3,976
• Pedestrian – 212 (23 deaths)
• Bicyclists – 99 (7 deaths)
2023 Total Collisions: 4,101
• Pedestrians – 284 (22 deaths)
• Bicycles – 125 (2 deaths)
January 1, 2024 to March 31, 2024 Total Collisions: 970 • Pedestrians – 72
• Bicycles – 31
January 1, 2024 to April 30, 2024 Total Collisions: 1266 • Pedestrians - 91 (14 deaths)
• Bicycles - 38 (3 deaths)
Meetings
December 6th
Diego Corvera from the City of Visalia Public Works Department provided a presentation on protected intersections that will soon be constructed in the city of Visalia. Kathleen Paige provided a presentation on her BikeScribbl3d art project. This will install 4 sculptures through- out the city depicting bicycle riders. These are intended to increase the visibility and celebrate bicycle riders in the city. World Day of Remembrance task-force provided a wrap up discussion on the recently completed World Day of Remembrance in November. Members provided an update on their activities and events around town. A new Taskforce was created to make a member on boarding document. A Taskforce was created to make a document laying out the plan for the upcoming year. Laura Gromis was elected Chairperson, Sean Zweifler was elected Vice-chairperson and Gabe Lozano was elected Secretary. Officer Belli provided an update on fatalities and discussed other police related issues.
January
Amy From Fresno Unified School District presented on Safe Routes to Schools, crossing guards, and other attempts to enhance safety for students coming to and from school. Right now Safe Routes to School is being piloted throughout the city, and will eventually be scaled up. Assessments and surveys are taking place, which will hopefully inform further efforts. Memorial Fund task Force provided an update on their work, discussing various ideas for how money will be used for a permanent memorial to traffic victims. Laura Gromis discussed a year plan she wrote up highlighting the various events ATAC is involved in though- out the year. Members provided updates on their activities and Staff provided updates on Vision Zero, ATP, and various projects around town.
February
A presentation was provided to committee members to inform them of rules under the Brown Act. The Fresno State Transportation Institute presented on research using smart phone data to track bike riding behavior in the city. Member on boarding committee provided an update to work on an on boarding informational packet for new members. Bike Month Committee provided an update on plans for the upcoming May is bike month. Staff provided an update on the Vision Zero and Active Transportation plan updates.
March
California High Speed Rail Authority came in and presented on some updates to work happening in Fresno, mostly the new station. Some members expressed concern about the way Highspeed Rail work was impacting bicycle and pedestrian flows between downtown and China Town and how the future design of the tunnels linking the two neighborhoods were not bicycle friendly. There were concerns were about surrounding streets being made safer to allow for comfortable access to the station. Bike month Task Force provided the update that preparations were going well for the ride with the mayor and bike to work day. Budget task force had nothing new to discuss. Members provided an update on activities including bike clinics and group rides. An extended discussion of Blackstone happened and how the city was planning on implementing the South Blackstone Smart Mobility Strategy.
April
John Liu informed the committee that there is money available for lower cost improvements on Caltrans facilities around Fresno and put out a request for project ideas. Bike Month Committee gave an update on plans for the bike ride with he mayor as well as bike to work day, which ATAC is helping plan. The budget committee updated with heir proposed budget. This includes $4000 for League of Cycling Instructor certification as well as money for PSAs and safety gear. Jill expressed that budgets at public works are very constrained and these are not funds guaranteed to ATAC but instead funds that have in the past been made available. A discussion was had about how the group decides who represents ATAC on various other committees. It was decided that the chairperson would seek volunteers and then elect someone. The consultants with the Active Transportation Plan update discussed the general plan for the coming months including compassion of the steering committee and plans for public outreach. Staff updated the committee on various projects along the south Blackstone corridor. The main focus of these is widening sidewalks and installing protected bike lanes, which will be raised concrete protected and not flexible posts like other projects. Questions remain if these protected bike lanes will be sidewalk level or street level.