Community members review proposed improvements during a March 18 public outreach meeting at the Sutter Theater Center for Yuba City’s Active Transportation Plan. Photo by Shamaya Sutton

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - A citywide plan aimed at making Yuba City streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists is heading to the City Council for approval following a final round of public input March 18 at the Sutter Theater Center.

City officials and consultants presented the nearly finalized Active Transportation Plan, a long-term blueprint outlining proposed upgrades to sidewalks, bike lanes, intersections and traffic-calming measures across the city. The plan is expected to go before the Yuba City Council for adoption April 7.

“This is a citywide guiding document,” said Jasmine Salona, project manager for the City of Yuba City. “Once adopted, it positions the city to pursue funding and begin implementing these improvements.”

Salona said the city has worked with transportation consulting firm Fehr & Peers on the plan for about a year, gathering input through community meetings, pop-up events and online feedback. David Moore, a project manager with Fehr & Peers, said the plan focuses on improving conditions for “human-powered travel,” including walking, biking and mobility devices.

“Active transportation is all of our human-powered travel, walking, biking, people using a wheelchair, scooters,” Moore said. “Anything that your body is moving.”

Community feedback highlighted several recurring concerns, including speeding vehicles, limited visibility at intersections, sidewalk gaps and maintenance issues such as overgrown trees and blocked bike lanes. According to data in the plan, pedestrians and cyclists were involved in 12% of injury collisions in Yuba City between 2018 and 2023 but accounted for 28% of fatal or serious injury crashes.

Residents attend a City of Yuba City neighborhood meeting near Sanborn Road and McCune Avenue on March 12 to discuss traffic safety and potential calming measures following a past collision. Photo courtesy of City of Yuba City

Proposed improvements include expanded sidewalk networks, buffered and protected bike lanes, upgraded crossings and intersections and traffic-calming measures such as curb extensions, medians and speed humps.

“Maintenance was something that we heard loud and clear from phase one,” Moore said. “If the city is going to put in all the effort to get these facilities in, it is important to keep them maintained and usable.”

Recent concerns in specific neighborhoods have underscored the need for improvements. Earlier this month, the city hosted a community meeting near Sanborn Road and McCune Avenue following a past vehicle accident at the intersection. Residents raised concerns about speeding and reckless driving, prompting staff to explore traffic-calming options such as medians and pinch-point designs.

The discussion reflects broader issues identified in the plan, particularly concerns about speeding and pedestrian safety in residential areas.

Currently, about 0.8% of trips in Yuba City are made by walking and 0.3% by biking. Officials said that could increase to about 5% each if the plan is fully implemented alongside supportive programs and policies. While the plan does not fund projects, it allows the city to compete for state and federal grants. Priority improvements have already been identified and prepared for funding applications.

“It is great to have the plan, but how is this plan going to get implemented from the city’s perspective?” Moore said. “That is really the next step.”

City staff will finalize the plan using feedback from the March 18 meeting before presenting it to the City Council. If approved, efforts to secure funding and begin construction could follow.