The San Luis Obispo City Council formally adopted the goal of “Vision Zero” in 2016, affirming that no loss of life or severe injuries as a result of a collision is acceptable on city roadways. The City's first-ever Vision Zero Action Plan lays out the blueprint of priority actions needed to accomplish this ambitious, yet crucially important goal. Visit the City's Traffic Safety Webpage to learn more about the City's Vision Zero initiative.

To report any transportation questions or concerns, please visit Ask SLO, the City's new centralized resident engagement platform.

No. Per the City’s Municipal Code Section 10.72.100, bicycle riding on sidewalks is prohibited. This law is in place for the safety of the bicyclists, pedestrians, community members in wheelchairs, and motorists.

Pedestrians, trash cans, benches, utility boxes, fire hydrants, sign posts, and cars coming in and out of driveways become obstacles to bicycle riding on the sidewalk and can be damaging to property, the bicycle rider or a pedestrian if hit. Sidewalks are designed for walking speeds, which are slower than a bicycle pace and are often not designed to share with other travelers. When faster speeds are introduced the situation can become hazardous. 

Speed Radar Trailer Program

City transportation staff deploys two radar trailers at various locations throughout San Luis Obispo. These trailers display drivers' speeds on an electronic board, reminding motorists to slow down. Each radar trailer typically stays at a location for two to three weeks before rotating to a new spot. Want one in your neighborhood? You can request to be added to the rotation list by visiting Ask SLO.

Neighborhood Traffic Management Program

The City of San Luis Obispo is committed to enhancing the safety and quality of life in San Luis Obispo’s neighborhoods. Increased vehicular volume and speeds within neighborhoods has been a concern among neighborhood residents. The City’s Neighborhood Traffic Management (NTM) Program encourages residents to be directly involved in developing strategies to addressing traffic issues within their neighborhood. The Neighborhood Traffic Management Program utilizes engineering, education, and enforcement tools to ensure equitable and effective solutions. You can request participation in the City's Neighborhood Traffic Management Program by visiting Ask SLO.

Report Concerns to SLO PD

For emergencies, please dial 911.

For other traffic-related enforcement issues, please contact SLO PD Traffic Safety Unit at trafficenforcement@slocity.org or (805) 781-7317. The goal of the Traffic Safety Unit is to use education and enforcement to increase traffic safety in San Luis Obispo. The unit is staffed with officers who work from fully marked police motorcycles, with an emphasis on vehicle code enforcement and types of behaviors that are likely to result in injury collisions. The Transportation Division works closely with the Traffic Safety Unit regarding enforcement issues, and we rely on input from the community to reveal problem areas.

Traffic markings shall be placed on public streets for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic as stated in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD). The City installs curb paint after careful examination for its needs and impact on City streets. All curb markings in the public right-of-way must be installed by the City or with the City’s approval. Red curbs are enforced by the San Luis Obispo Police Department or Parking Services.

The City has a no-fee Red Curb Permit Program allowing residents to paint and maintain a portion of curb on either side of their private driveway. The goal of this program is to discourage cars from blocking driveways and to increase the visibility when cars are backing onto the road. To participate in this program, visit Ask SLO.

Curb markings installed without approval by the City will not be included in the permitted curb database. These installations will be removed by Public Works, and the cost of the removal will be charged to the responsible party. Furthermore, and unauthorized red curb may present an unnecessary liability in case an accident occurs in the area where the curb markings have been installed illegally and the City cannot provide records to justify the need for these markings.

All local agencies are required to perform a speed survey in accordance with the California Vehicle Code (CVC) and the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). See the Section on Speed Limits for more information.

A stop sign is one of the most valuable and effective traffic control devices when used at the right place and under the right conditions. It is intended to help drivers and pedestrians at an intersection to decide who has the right-of-way. Guidance provided by the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) states, “STOP signs should not be used for speed control.” Newly installed Stop signs in the City of San Luis Obispo follow state guidelines prior to installation. Engineering studies, which are based on State and City Standards, are performed by The Transportation Division to determine if a STOP sign is allowable at a location.

Unwarranted stop signs increase noise, air pollution, fuel consumption, and mid-block vehicle speeds. A STOP sign used where it is not appropriate can also result in disrespect by motorist for that location. This misuse might result in disregard at those locations where the STOP sign is needed and appropriate. When traffic conditions do not warrant the installation of a stop sign, non-compliance can compromise safety for all. The City of San Luis Obispo understands the importance of STOP signs and follows CA MUTCD warrants along with applying engineering judgment to make the correct decision when installing these important traffic control devices.