Encinitas Bike Walk

New PeopleForBikes City Rating Highlights Infrastructure Gaps Across Encinitas

Chris Giles — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:10:49 +0000

PeopleForBikes published its annual City Ratings, and Encinitas did not score very well, which is a huge disappointment, considering what a great city Encinitas is.

What Are the PeopleForBikes City Ratings?

PeopleForBikes is a national nonprofit and bicycle-industry coalition dedicated to making riding a bike safer, easier, and more accessible for people of all ages and abilities.

One of its most influential programs is the City Ratings system, which evaluates how effectively a community’s bicycle network connects people to everyday destinations using low-stress routes. Rather than simply counting miles of bike lanes, the ratings focus on whether residents can comfortably reach jobs, schools, shopping, parks, services, and transit by bicycle.

PeopleForBikes’ City Ratings measure the quality of a city’s bike network in more than 3000 U.S. cities. A bike network is a connected system of protected bike lanes, off-street paths, slow shared streets, and safe crossings that enables people to comfortably bike around a city.

Each city receives a City Ratings score on a scale of 0 to 100. A low score (0-20) indicates a weak bike network, meaning the city lacks safe bikeways or there are gaps in the network. A high score (80-100) indicates that the most common destinations are accessible via safe, comfortable bike routes serving people of all ages and abilities.

The purpose of assigning these ratings is to ask one single question:

Can an average person comfortably and safely reach the places they need to go by bike?

PeopleForBikes

How did Encinitas rate?

26 out of 100

Sadly, out of 3,019 cities rated, Encinitas ranked 2,057, placing it in the bottom 32nd percentile. In California, where over 300 cities were ranked, Encinitas ranked in the bottom 5-10%. That’s embarrassing for Encinitas, a city that is a hub of wellness, fitness, and health.

For reference, here is how other California cities were rated. This list represents cities with varying demographics, sizes, geographies, and wealth levels.

Solana Beach – 40

Merced – 49

Santa Barbara – 48

So, why is this an issue?

The City Rating of 26 indicates that Encinitas can’t address the question asked above: Can an average person comfortably and safely reach the places they need to go by bike?

The speed of our streets, the lack of infrastructure, and the gaps in the network are among the primary reasons Encinitas received a low rating. In addition, we have documented injuries and deaths attributed to roads prioritized for vehicles—and these ratings don’t even account for those issues.

What can we do to fix it?

Lower speed limits all over town

Residential streets (streets with driveways to homes where kids play) should be lowered to 20mph. It’s been done on many streets — make it mandatory on all streets.

Add infrastructure that controls motorist speeds

One tool the city can use is speed cushions. These are speed humps that slow down regular-sized cars and trucks, but they feature gaps that allow emergency vehicles to pass through without slowing down, thereby avoiding negative impacts on response times.

We can also narrow the roadways. Studies show that drivers drive more slowly on narrower roads. This can be done with parked cars, paint, or even with planters—There are lots of options.

Prioritize roadway infrastructure that creates safer conditions for cyclists

Primarily, by separating cyclists from motorists. Councilmember Shaffer has stated on multiple occasions that motorists and cyclists need to be separated—and he is correct! Studies from veteran traffic engineers, insurance institutes, and federal transportation agencies support the idea that physical separation between motor vehicles and bicyclists increases safety.

As we all know, we are going to see an increase in housing across Encinitas in the upcoming years. This population increase will result in more people moving around our city. We can move to prioritize motor vehicle traffic, but our space is limited, and this will only result in greater congestion around town.

Or, we can continue to develop other ways for residents and visitors to move around town. Developing better infrastructure for cycling and walking will enable and encourage people to use modes of transportation other than cars.

And each person who chooses to ride, scoot, or roll around Encinitas will reduce the number of motorized vehicles clogging our streets.

Encinitas FY2025-2026 City Council Annual Workplan – Mobility Elements

Encinitas Bike Walk — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 00:23:03 +0000

On January 21, 2026, the city council will hold a special meeting to receive a report on the FY2025-2026 City Council Annual Workplan and the 2nd Quarter objectives. This is an important meeting because it sets the City Council’s priorities for the upcoming year. It will also serve as a precursor to the Budget meetings, scheduled for late February.

Below are the workplan items focused on mobility, circulation, and active transportation as copied from the agenda report.

Safe and efficient mobility and circulation for all modes of transportation

GOAL: Safely and efficiently move people throughout the city in a timely manner

3.1 Improve alternate transportation routes

Complete and evaluate 90% design for Quiet Zone and conduct community meetings to solicit input
Quarterly check-ins with CPUC on the status of the Leucadia At-grade Crossing application
Design and construct possible revisions to the Santa Fe West project as directed by City Council. Coordinate the construction of any revisions with the Santa Fe East project
Include goals and policies to balance bikes, pedestrians and vehicles safety. Create an executive summary/FAQ of the goals and policies for public consumption with easy to follow maps. Include guidelines for signage with the goal of minimizing signage pollution
Explore a plan/policy limiting designated bike and ped routes on lower speed limit streets (less than 25 mph)
Identify opportunities to update signal timing or explore adaptive signal timing to improve vehicular traffic flow throughout the City

3.2 Revisit and update the Active Transportation Plan (ATP)

Review and update Active Transportation Plan, Modal Alternative Plan and Recreational Trails Master Plan for consistency with each other and Updated Mobility/Circulation Element
Seek grant funding for construction of La Costa Ped Path and Trail 82 and interim ADA compliant design for N. Vulcan Ped Path until at-grade crossings and drainage infrastructure are installed
Solicit input from the community and City Council on direction for Active Transportation Plan update

3.3 Explore public transportation incentives and partnerships.

Mobility Coordinator to engage regional transportation partner agencies (i.e. NCTD, SANDAG, etc.) to explore public transportation and funding opportunities that locally support regional approach
Seek grants for local micro transit or other public transportation opportunities that locally support regional approach

The full FY2025-2026 City Council Annual Workplan – 2nd Quarter Objectives Update can be seen HERE

Vulcan Pedestrian Path Progress Report

Judy Berlfein — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 18:56:53 +0000

The North Vulcan Avenue Pedestrian Path project will construct a new decomposed granite(DG) pedestrian pathway between the railroad tracks and the west side of Vulcan Avenue, from Leucadia Blvd. to La Costa Avenue. Project design is underway with design completion anticipated in summer 2026.

Approximately 20 residents attended the city’s Citizen Participation Program (CPP) meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, to get a peek at the proposed design and provide feedback to staff. This path does not replace the Coastal Rail Trail, which SANDAG is tasked with building. However, North County Transit District (NCTD) plans to double-track the rail line in this area. Thus, no permanent walkways or bikeways can be built until the location of the second track has been established.

History

This stretch of real estate is owned by NCTD. For many years, residents parked haphazardly in this location. Most cars were parked head-in (roughly), and there was no safe space for walkers or cyclists. To provide some organization, the city worked with NCTD several years ago to place curb stops in the area re-enforcing the head-in parking. This was a partial solution. Pedestrians and cyclists still had no safe space to navigate.

In response, some local northwest Leucadia residents encouraged the previous City Council to reorganize the curb stops, forcing cars to park parallel to create a de facto walking/cycling path. This was a game-changer, allowing residents to walk or cycle along the railroad track. The only shortcoming was the dirt-and-gravel surface.

To improve the pathway, the current City Council funded the design of a decomposed granite path. Funding for construction has not been secured.

You can view the presentation here.

Safer Streets Act of 2025 (SB 720) – Red-Light Cameras Get a Reboot

Chris Giles — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 18:58:10 +0000

In January 2026, California’s new red-light automated enforcement bill, SB 720, known as the Safer Streets Act of 2025, went into effect. This new law introduces a new civil enforcement framework through the “Safer Streets Program,” shifting red-light camera violations from criminal to civil penalties and emphasizing equity, transparency, and traffic safety.

This new law will differ significantly from the old red-light enforcement system and provide an effective, fair way to deter red-light violations. To help understand those differences, we’ve put together a comparison of old vs. new red-light camera laws.

Legal Framework & Enforcement Approach

Old System

California’s original red-light camera law dated back decades and required that the driver be identified (via a clear photo) to issue a violation.
Red-light violations captured by cameras were treated as criminal traffic offenses, resulting in fines, potential points on the driver’s license, and possible insurance rate increases.

SB 720 (New Law - Jan. 2026)

Shifts enforcement to a civil model, similar to a parking ticket, treating violations as civil penalties rather than criminal offenses.
Liability is shifted from the driver on the scene to the vehicle’s registered owner. Capturing the license plate is sufficient, with no need to identify the driver’s face.
Violations do not add points to the driver’s license or necessarily impact insurance because they are civil, not criminal.

Fines & Penalty Structure

Old System

Fines varied, but camera-issued violations could carry high penalties (e.g., ~$490 or more even on the 1st offense) because they were part of criminal traffic enforcement.
Penalties might include additional court fees, and because they were criminal, they sometimes affected driving records.

SB 720

SB 720 establishes a tiered civil fine structure (after any grace/warning period):
• 1st offense: ~$100
• 2nd: ~$200
• 3rd: ~$350
• 4th+ within 3 years: ~$500
Tickets are mailed to the vehicle owner’s address on registration.
No driver identification requirement — simplifies enforcement and administration.

Grace Period & Implementation

Old System

There was no mandated statewide warning period; enforcement and notices were up to each city/county and tied to local contracts.

SB 720

For newly installed red-light cameras under SB 720, there must be a 60-day warning period during which drivers caught running a red light receive only a warning notice (no fine).
After warnings, full civil enforcement begins with fines.

Policy Goals & Revenue Allocation

Old System

Primarily focused on enforcement and deterrence, with less detailed statewide guidance on safety reinvestment.
The prior model also raised stronger privacy concerns because it required high-quality driver images.

SB 720

Emphasizes traffic safety, equity, and predictability, aiming to reduce red-light running and serious crashes more effectively.
Revenue from civil penalties must be reinvested in local traffic safety improvements, such as pedestrian crossings and traffic-calming measures, not general city funds.
Removes the need for facial recognition and stresses privacy protections in data handling.

What does SB 720 mean for Encinitas?

Old System in Encinitas

Encinitas had a red-light camera program with cameras at key intersections (e.g., El Camino Real & Encinitas Blvd.) operating from about 2004 through 2020 under the old enforcement model.
The City Council voted in May 2020 to end the contract with the camera provider due to concerns about high ticket costs and public criticism.
The old red-light camera system faced significant backlash from Encinitas residents because they felt it was too punitive and potentially focused on revenue rather than safety.

SB 720 Implications for Encinitas (Post-2026)

SB 720 now gives the Encinitas City Council a clear and consistent legal path to re-adopt automated red-light camera enforcement.
Because the new system treats violations as civil penalties and doesn’t require driver identification or criminal procedure, it addresses some of the core concerns that led Encinitas to end its previous camera program.

Should We Spend $2 Million to Rip Out the Santa Fe Project?

Judy Berlfein — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 00:20:33 +0000

If you answered NO to that question, please join us at the Special City Council meeting on Wednesday, November 5, at 6 pm at Encinitas City Hall. If you want to learn more about the project, read on. . .

In 1936, when San Dieguito High School was constructed, Santa Fe Drive was a sleepy, dead-end road, ending at the stop of the hill. Over the years, homes were built along the road, and a neighborhood thrived. In the early 60s, a small hospital went in, and the new freeway was built. It wasn’t until the early ‘80s that Santa Fe punched through to El Camino Real and became an arterial for automobiles.

But Santa Fe isn’t a highway.

It’s a neighborhood with homes, grocery stores, pickleball courts and medical facilities. Ninety percent of the time, the road is relatively calm. It’s only during the morning commute and afternoon pick up at San Dieguito Academy that it becomes clogged with automobiles.

The Santa Fe Improvement project was designed to honor this neighborhood by slowing cars, so kids could safely walk or ride their bikes to school, and those without cars could comfortably walk to El Nopalito or Vons, or any of the other commercial establishments.

Construction of the project went on for too long, and parts of the new design need tweaking. But the core of the project is solid –

Narrowed lanes force cars to drive more slowly

Pre- and post-speed monitoring data show that cars are driving more slowly now.

	2023 (Pre-Construction)	2025 (Post-Construction)	Speed Reduction (-%)

Eastbound - 85th percentile	37 mph	29 mph	-8 mph (-22%)

Westbound - 85th percentile	41 mph	37 mph	-4 mph (-10%)

Source: City of Encinitas speed monitoring. 2023 data collected 12/18/23 – 12/20/23. 2025 data collected 7/17/25 to 8/12/25.

Extended sidewalks give pedestrians a safe place to walk

Previously, pedestrians and cyclists were forced to traverse uneven, narrow dirt surfaces.

Separated bike lanes keep cars away from bikes

Previously, cars queued up in the bike lane on the north side during pick up, preventing bicycle access, and crossed the bike lane on the south side to park, endangering cyclists.

Additional parking makes drivers happy

Several additional parking spots have been added, benefiting both patrons and businesses along Santa Fe Drive.

Unfortunately, the Encinitas City Council isn’t advocating for tweaking. They’re pushing to spend up to $2 million to potentially rip it out and start over. That would mean a lot of things –

More endless construction
Less money for fixing the drainage in Leucadia
Less money for paving streets
And less money to build more parks

If you’re looking for fiscal responsibility from your city government, ask your City Council members to find cost-effective solutions to the minor issues needing to be addressed in the Santa Fe project instead of spending millions of dollars and subjecting Encinitas residents to months of construction.

Contact Your Encinitas City Council Member

Mayor Bruce Ehlers	behlers@encinitasca.gov
Deputy Mayor Joy Lyndes	jlyndes@encinitasca.gov
Council Member Jim O’Hara	johara@encinitasca.gov
Council Member Marco San Antonio	msanantonio@encinitasca.gov
Council Member Luke Shaffer	lshaffer@encinitasca.gov
City Clerk Kathy Hollywood	khollywood@encinitasca.gov

All Before/After images are courtesy of the City of Encinitas

FAQs about California’s SB 720 – Red-Light Camera Statute

Encinitas Bike Walk — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 17:00:00 +0000

What is SB 720?

SB 720 seeks to modernize and reform the state’s red-light camera laws, originally established in 1995. It introduces a new civil enforcement framework through the “Safer Streets Program,” shifting red-light camera violations from criminal to civil penalties and emphasizing equity, transparency, and traffic safety.

What problem does SB 720 aim to address?

The bill addresses the issue of drivers running red lights daily in California, which is a significant factor in severe injuries and traffic fatalities. Supporters of SB 720 highlight that the previous red-light camera system was outdated and had flaws, particularly regarding privacy, as it required a photo of the driver’s face to issue fines and also affected driving records and insurance rates.

How does SB 720 propose to change red light camera enforcement in California?

SB 720 introduces several key changes:

Shift in Liability: It shifts liability from drivers to vehicle owners, much like parking tickets are issued.
No Driver Identification Required: The requirement for photographic evidence to identify the driver of the vehicle would be removed. Instead, capturing the rear license plate would be sufficient for a violation notice to be sent to the vehicle’s registered owner.
Civil Violations: Violations under the “Safer Streets Program” would be considered civil violations, similar to a parking ticket, rather than moving violations.
Consistent with other states, California would be among the last states to update its red and yellow light regulations to these new standards.

What are the financial implications of SB 720 violations?

Under SB 720, the fines would be capped at $100 for a first violation, which is significantly lower than the current total of up to $486 (comprising a base fine of $100 plus penalty assessments, fees, and surcharges). The bill also outlines increased fines for repeat offenses within three years: $100, $200, $250, $500 for first to fourth violations. A $50 late fee would also be added for unpaid fines. For low-income drivers, the program has a way to automatically reduce their fines.

Will SB 720 violations result in points on my driving record or affect insurance rates?

No, SB 720 stipulates that a ticket issued as a civil violation would not create points on the driver’s record and would not impact insurance rates. This represents a significant departure from current red light camera tickets, which typically result in one point being added to a driver’s record.

What privacy protections are included in SB 720?

The bill includes stricter privacy protections: a photo of the driver’s face would not be needed, and any information about the location and vehicle owner would not be kept beyond the point when the tickets are resolved. This is similar to AB 645, which also prohibits the use of facial recognition and limits data collection.

Who will administer the "Safer Streets Program" under SB 720?

The program would be administered by the Department of Transportation or the Public Works Department for a city or county, not by law enforcement. This is intended to address concerns about racial bias in traditional traffic stops by reducing the role of police officers in traffic enforcement. Data from this program also cannot be shared with law enforcement agencies without a court order.

How will revenue from SB 720 fines be used?

Any revenue generated by the Safer Streets Program must first be used to cover the program’s costs. Any excess profit must be used solely for safer streets initiatives, including improvements for pedestrian and cyclist safety. The intention is to deter dangerous driving and save lives, rather than generating revenue primarily.

What is the stated effectiveness of red light cameras, according to supporters of SB 720?

Proponents argue that red light camera programs have effectively saved lives by reducing collisions, serious injuries, and fatalities. Studies have found that:

Cities with red light safety cameras saw a 21% reduction in fatal red light running crash rates and a 14% decrease in other fatal crashes at intersections with traffic signals. Link
Conversely, cities that removed their red light cameras experienced a 30% increase in deadly crashes. Link
Research by engineers at the Institute of Transportation Engineers revealed that red light violation rates decreased by 40% after cameras were installed. In states with year-to-year data for comparison, there has been a roughly 20% decrease in fatal crashes at red lights as camera programs have expanded. Link

What is the current status of SB 720 in the California Legislature?

On Monday, October 13, 2025, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 720 into law.

The September 2 amendments to the bill on automated traffic enforcement systems focused on several key changes:

Clarified the use of multiple systems: It clarified that a local jurisdiction could use either the existing automated traffic enforcement system (based on Vehicle Code Section 21455.5) or the newer system proposed by SB 720 (based on Vehicle Code Section 21455.9).
Prioritized pedestrian safety for “right on red” turns: For jurisdictions using the new system, it would require officials to consider the risk to traffic and pedestrians when enforcing prohibited right turns on red.
Added a new appeals fee: It added a $25 filing fee for appealing a notice of violation from an automated traffic enforcement system.
Made additional changes contingent on another bill (AB 289): Certain changes to Government Code Section 70615 would only become operative if both SB 720 and AB 289 were enacted and SB 720 was passed last.

LegiScan

How does SB 720 compare to existing red light camera laws?

Currently, California’s red light camera laws, in place since 1995, require photographic evidence to identify the driver. Violations result in a $100 fine and one point being added to the driver’s license. If the driver cannot be identified, the violation notice is sent to the vehicle’s registered owner with no legal requirement for the owner to respond, which has made fine collection difficult for cities. SB 720 directly addresses these issues by removing the driver identification requirement, making violations civil, eliminating points on records, and capping fines while dedicating revenue to safety.

FAQs About California’s AB 645 Speed Camera Program

Encinitas Bike Walk — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 15:00:00 +0000

What is AB 645?

AB 645 is California legislation that created a pilot program for automated speed enforcement (ASE), also known as speed safety cameras. This safety technology utilizes vehicle speed sensors and cameras to capture images of cars traveling at excessive speeds, typically activating when vehicles exceed the speed limit by at least 10 mph and can detect speeding across multiple lanes.

Which cities are participating in the AB 645 pilot program?

The bill initially authorized six California cities to install speed cameras: Los Angeles, Glendale, Long Beach, San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland. The city of Malibu enacted SB 1297, which allows it to install up to 5 speed cameras.

When was AB 645 signed into law, and when did the pilot programs begin?

AB 645 was signed into law in 2023 by Governor Gavin Newsom. San Francisco was the first city to begin implementation, starting camera installation in March 2025 and completing it by early June of the same year. San Francisco’s cameras were set to begin operating in February 2025.

How do the fines for speeding violations under AB 645 work?

Fines under the pilot program range from $50 to $500.

$50 for driving 11 to 15 mph over the posted speed limit.
$100 for driving 16 to 25 mph over the posted speed limit.
$200 for driving 26 mph or more over the posted speed limit (or 26-99 mph over in highway work zones for a related bill).
$500 for driving 100 mph or more. Notably, low-income drivers (making less than 250 percent of the poverty level) receive reduced fees of 50% or 80% if they are indigent.

What about warnings for initial offenses?

The AB 645 pilot program requires pilot jurisdictions to issue 30 days of initial warnings before administering tickets. For example, San Francisco’s cameras began operating in February 2025, issuing no-fee warning tickets for the first 60 days before citations began in April 2025. Additionally, for first offenses, drivers traveling between 11 and 15 mph over the speed limit will receive a warning notice.

How is revenue from AB 645 fines used?

The bill stipulates that revenue collected from the camera systems must first be used to recover program costs. Any excess revenue must be used solely for local traffic-calming measures and other safer streets initiatives, including pedestrian and cyclist safety improvements, that exceed existing traffic calming budgets. The intention is for these systems to deter dangerous driving and save lives, not to raise revenue.

Does a violation under AB 645 result in points on a driver's record or affect insurance rates?

No, AB 645 stipulates that a ticket issued under this program will not be recorded as points on the driver’s record. This differs from traditional red light camera tickets, which typically result in one point being added to a driver’s record.

Who oversees the automated speed enforcement program under AB 645?

AB 645 places the pilot programs under the purview of transportation departments, not police departments. This is intended to reduce the role of police officers in traffic enforcement and help address issues of racial bias that can occur in traditional traffic stops.

What are the stated goals and benefits of AB 645?

The primary goal is to significantly reduce speeding and severe and fatal crashes, as speeding is the leading cause of such incidents in San Francisco. Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) is a proven tool for achieving this, having been shown to reduce speeding and crashes. The program also aims to advance racial and economic equity in traffic enforcement, as communities of color and low-income individuals are disproportionately harmed by traffic violence and affected by traditional enforcement biases. By deploying cameras, the program seeks to deter dangerous driving through consistent enforcement rather than relying on infrequent, in-person police stop with high fines.

What concerns or criticisms have been raised about automated speed enforcement, and how does AB 645 address them?

Focus on Revenue: Critics often argue that automated enforcement systems primarily serve to generate revenue rather than improve safety. AB 645 addresses this by requiring net revenue to fund traffic safety measures and by implementing warning periods before fines begin.
Disproportionate Impact: Human Rights Watch opposed AB 645 due to concerns it could disproportionately impact BIPOC communities by generating excessive fines. To mitigate this, AB 645 requires piloting jurisdictions to collaborate with civil liberty, racial equity, and economic justice organizations in their implementation plans and to conduct a racial and economic impact analysis. It also allows for means-based fine reductions for low-income drivers.
Privacy: Concerns have been raised about surveillance and protecting driver privacy. AB 645 explicitly prohibits facial recognition, makes data confidential, and limits its use strictly to speed enforcement purposes.
Effectiveness/Accuracy: While some studies suggest an increase in rear-end collisions from sudden braking, automated speed enforcement has been proven to significantly reduce speeding and severe and fatal crashes.

What privacy protections are included in AB 645?

AB 645 includes strong privacy protections, prohibiting facial recognition technologies and stipulating that data collected is confidential, with its use strictly limited to speed enforcement.

What is the current status of implementation for cities under AB 645?

San Francisco is the first city to have its 50 speed cameras fully installed and running as of early June 2025. Warnings were issued until August 6, 2025, when tickets began to be sent. Other cities are progressing with their plans: San Jose hopes to have cameras installed by summer 2025, with the system going live by fall; Oakland plans to have cameras online by winter 2025; Glendale aims for late 2025; and Los Angeles plans to launch its program in 2026. A start date for Long Beach has not been specified yet. Malibu is scheduled to install cameras in the fall of 2025.

Avoid the Right Hook – Safe Driving and Biking

Encinitas Bike Walk — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 16:08:43 +0000

A safety PSA video from the city of Carlsbad.

One of the biggest causes of collisions between drivers and bicyclists is called the right hook. This animation explains what that is and how to avoid this type of collision. A little patience and watching out for each other goes a long way to keep each other safe on our roads.

City of Encinitas Age-Friendly Community Survey

Kristine Schindler — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 03:47:13 +0000

You Can Shape the Future of Encinitas for All Ages!

The City of Encinitas is excited to announce Age-Friendly Encinitas, a vital project generously funded by the San Diego Foundation and supported by the expertise of the San Diego State University Center for Excellence in Aging & Longevity. Together, we’re embarking on a journey to create an action plan that will make our community an even better place to live, thrive, and participate for residents of all ages and abilities.

Your voice is crucial in this process! We’re committed to building this plan through community participation and your valuable feedback. This will shape policies and programs designed to enhance the quality of life for everyone in Encinitas. We strongly encourage you to take a few moments follow the link below share your insights on this survey. You will be helping us build a brighter future for Encinitas. Printed surveys are available at the Encinitas Community & Senior Center and City Hall. – Jesse Hanwit, Village Encinitas

Direct link to survey:

Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management

The survey will take about 15 minutes to complete. Watch for another email in a few days where you can choose the listening session you want to attend. Thanks for participating. Your opinion counts!

Statement from the City of Encinitas

The City of Encinitas is developing the Age-Friendly Encinitas Plan to build a more inclusive, supportive, and livable community for people of all ages and abilities. To guide this effort, we are conducting a community survey to better understand the experiences, needs, and priorities of older adults, individuals living with disabilities, and their caregivers. We want to hear directly from you about what is working well and where there is room for improvement. Your input will help shape the Age-Friendly Encinitas Plan and ensure our city remains a great place to live, age, and thrive.

In this survey, you will be asked about what it’s like to live in your community. “Community” means the place where you spend most of your time. This could be your neighborhood, your city, or both. Your idea of community might change depending on the question. For example, when we ask about parks, you might think about the park near your home. When we ask about social activities, you might think about the whole city.

The survey has six sections in addition to eligibility questions:

Housing
Outdoor Spaces & Buildings
Mobility
Community Engagement
Health & Wellness
Demographics (e.g., age, gender identity)

This survey is anonymous and voluntary. While there are some questions about your basic demographics, your answers will stay private and will not be linked to you. We’ll only share combined data that doesn’t identify anyone individually. You may discontinue the survey at any time. This survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email SDSU’s Center for Excellence in Aging & Longevity at ceal@sdsu.edu.

Call To Action – Santa Fe Drive: Improve – Don’t Remove

Judy Berlfein — Mon, 26 May 2025 20:28:29 +0000

This Wednesday, May 28, the City Council will determine next steps for the Santa Fe Project. The City Council Agenda provides a full report, with suggested modifications.

Our motto is: Improve, Don’t Remove.

Please write to the City Council and encourage them to do the following:

Implement the cost-effective, required modifications to the Santa Fe West project as recommended by staff.
- Straighten bike lanes across intersections.
- Create parking cut throughs for drivers to access sidewalk.
- Add green striping and low profile speed bumps at driveways to alert drivers to cyclists.
Build the Santa Fe East project, which includes adding essential missing sidewalks and separated bike lanes from Evergreen to El Camino Real.
Don’t waste our precious tax money reconfiguring parking spaces. Rather, increase law enforcement ticketing of improperly parked automobiles.

Here is a sample letter:

Dear Mayor Ehlers, Deputy Mayor Lyndes, and Councilmembers O’Hara, Shaffer, and San Antonio,

Safety and fiscal responsibility — that is your task as City leaders. Please focus on both when evaluating modification options for the Santa Fe Project.

Improve – Don’t Remove!

I support the cost effective required modifications recommended by staff.

I support adding missing sidewalks and separated bike lanes to the whole Santa Fe corridor – as designed in the Santa Fe East project.

Don’t waste our precious tax money reconfiguring parking spaces. Rather, increase law enforcement ticketing of improperly parked automobiles.

Regards,

YOUR NAME

Mayor Bruce Ehlers	behlers@encinitasca.gov
Deputy Mayor Joy Lyndes	jlyndes@encinitasca.gov
Council Member Jim O’Hara	johara@encinitasca.gov
Council Member Marco San Antonio	msanantonio@encinitasca.gov
Council Member Luke Shaffer	lshaffer@encinitasca.gov
City Clerk Kathy Hollywood	khollywood@encinitasca.gov

Below is a link to the official agenda report, which provides detailed information about the project, costs, and staff recommendations.

Agenda Report