With the Goal of Safer Roads, City of West Palm Beach to Host First Public Vision Zero Event

WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. (January 16, 2019) – Just six short months ago the City of West Palm Beach adopted Vision Zero West Palm Beach, a road safety initiative that has proven to save lives in municipalities around the world. With the goal of reducing and ultimately eliminating fatalities and serious injuries on city roads, the City’s Vision Zero safety team—along with its partners—will host the Vision Zero Community Safety Fair on Saturday, February 9 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. The interactive workshop will take place along Flagler Drive - north and south traffic lanes will be closed to vehicle traffic from Fern St. to Banyan Blvd. – and include free helmet fittings and helmet giveaways (while supplies last), a bicycle rodeo, driver safety tips, a rollover crash demonstration, a West Palm Beach Fire Rescue truck for exploration, and more. The event is FREE, open to the public, and people of all ages are encouraged to attend.

“We are so pleased with the reception for Vision Zero West Palm Beach since launching the initiative in late summer,” said West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio. “The Vision Zero team has already hosted road safety assemblies, walk to school events, older driver awareness workshops, and elementary school art safety contests to challenge the residents of West Palm Beach to be more mindful of the road and all of its users, including vulnerable pedestrians and bicyclists. We are excited for this first public event to engage with even more residents and visitors. We have an aggressive goal of zero fatalities or serious injuries, but with the community cooperation and enthusiasm we’ve witnessed, we know it can be done.”

A Vision Zero approach involves a wide variety of methodologies to reduce the troubling traffic fatalities and serious injuries produced on roads daily. The method has been adopted in 34 cities in the United States, with many more abroad. Locally, Vision Zero West Palm Beach is a collaborative effort between internal and external community stakeholders. The City of West Palm Beach acts as connector to resources and experts, advancing a shared goal to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries on the streets of West Palm Beach. The City looks to achieve its goal through the “three Es” – engineering, whereby the City commits to design better streets; education, including public fairs and targeted outreach programs; and enforcement, which includes enforcement of traffic laws and review of policy changes.

“Together, we can and will make roads in West Palm Beach safer for all users,” said Tara Applebaum, Vision Zero Coordinator for the City of West Palm Beach. “The approach is grassroots in nature, which makes it more community-centric and impactful than other traffic safety programs we have initiated. We look forward to what will be the first of many community events and encourage everyone to come out and enjoy. While educational, the event will also be tons of fun!” 

Vision Zero Community Safety Fair activities include a bicycle rodeo presented by the Florida Department of Transportation with assistance from Ask Learn Go, which specializes in children's bicycle safety; helmet fittings and giveaways (while supplies last) by the Florida Department of Transportation; a rollover simulator vehicle and demonstration on what happens when someone is not buckled in during a crash by the Florida Highway Patrol; a driving simulator for young drivers, courtesy of A Treasure Coast Driving School and AAA; driver education materials, sectioned by driver type – such as car, motorcycle and older drivers - and giveaways from the Safety Council of Palm Beach County; safety tips and a vehicle on display from the West Palm Beach Police Department; a fire engine for exploration courtesy of the West Palm Beach Fire Rescue; and interactive displays from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, including its vehicle homicide truck, fatal vision goggles and safety displays.

In addition to the activities, Vision Zero West Palm Beach, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County, the Downtown Development Authority, the Transportation Planning Agency, SkyBike and St. Mary's Medical Center will have booths with games and related giveaways, such as reflectors and bike lights.

The timing of this event overlaps with the popular West Palm Beach GreenMarket, which will be celebrating its annual Strawberry Jam. The Strawberry Jam is an annual bake sale of strawberry shortcakes, courtesy of Chef Carlino of Cider Doughnuts and SWFL Produce. The cakes are available while supplies last for $5 each and proceeds benefit Hospice of Palm Beach County. 

Parking for both events is available in two City garages, both just blocks from the waterfront. Parking is free in the Evernia/Olive garage during market hours and there is a flat fee of $5 in the Banyan/Olive garage before 1 p.m. Those interested in arriving by boat can take advantage of the City's free public docks, and those arriving by bike can take advantage of bike valet parking. Locals and visitors are also encouraged to arrive the sustainable way – on the City’s free and fun trolley. The incredibly popular transport system cuts down on CO2 emissions by eliminating car trips and has several routes, including the Yellow Line, which has several stops near the GreenMarket.

For more information on Vision Zero Community Safety Fair and Vision Zero West Palm Beach, visit www.wpb.org/visionzero, call 561-822-2222, or email Tara Applebaum at tapplebaum@wpb.org. For all City of West Palm Beach news and updates, follow the City of West Palm Beach on Facebook @CityofWPB and on Twitter and Instagram @westpalmbch.