Council directs staff to renew focus on Vision Zero, greenways and pedestrian safety

Mayor Pro Tem Zwick asked the City Council to reexamine trade‑offs that affect Santa Monica's Vision Zero goal and to return with specific steps to reduce severe injuries on city streets.

"When we say we're committed to Vision Zero, we must be explicit about the tradeoffs between throughput and safety and be willing to make decisions to realize the goal," Mayor Pro Tem Zwick said, asking for renewed attention on greenways and low‑cost interventions such as diverters and modal filters.

Council members from across the dais praised the initiative and noted concerning crash statistics. "In 2024, we had 60 severe injury crashes, 39 in 2023 — four straight years of increases," one councilmember noted, arguing that the city must do more than pay lip service to Vision Zero.

The council passed a motion, by voice vote, directing staff to return with a plan that includes community engagement, coordination with first responders and concrete designs to implement designated greenways consistent with national guidance.

Council discussion emphasized both protecting vulnerable road users and ensuring emergency‑response access; members asked staff to include community outreach and cost estimates in the follow‑up report.