Efforts to Enhance Safety, Following Fatal Accidents on PCH, Are Necessary
In a press release, sent via email by Matt Myerhoff, The City of Malibu remains unwavering in its commitment to enhancing safety along Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) while ensuring public access to the area’s natural beauty and recreational opportunities. The City supports the ongoing efforts by Caltrans to address critical safety concerns but expresses deep concern over recent comments made at a Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy & Advisory Committee Meeting that appear to prioritize public access over public safety.
“Public access and public safety are not mutually exclusive. Both are critical and must be addressed with equal importance,” said Mayor Doug Stewart said in the press statement. “We cannot sacrifice lives for access. The City fully supports Caltrans’ efforts to create a safer, more sustainable PCH for everyone—residents, visitors, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.”
This call for increased safety comes in the wake of the tragic deaths of four Pepperdine University students and alarming statistics. According to Caltrans, over the last 15 years, 61 fatalities have occurred along the 21-mile stretch of PCH. In 2023 alone, there were 220 crashes on PCH in Malibu, including 93 involving injuries and three that killed seven people.
In response, Caltrans has proposed significant safety improvements to PCH, including:
- Relocation of On-Street Parking in Key Areas: This measure aims to reduce pedestrians crossing the highway at non-designated locations, a behavior that increases the risk of severe accidents.
- Creating Bike Lanes: New bike lanes will offer pedestrians a safer path while reducing conflicts between vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Caltrans’s proposed improvements will preserve parking on the side of the highway with the highest demand, typically the beachside while relocating parking where it creates safety risks.
The City acknowledges in the press statement that the Coastal Commission’s and MRCA’s goals regarding parking replacement, and support a balanced solution that prioritizes safety. To offset the removal of certain on-street parking spaces, Caltrans’ plan proposes innovative solutions, including:
- Reverse-In Angled Parking: This configuration doubles parking capacity compared to parallel parking, addressing high-demand areas such as Zuma Beach, Nicholas Canyon Beach, and the Malibu Pier.
- Beach-Side Parking Gains: Parking will be permitted in areas currently restricted, particularly in stretches where demand is higher.
- Bicycle Access: High-quality bike lanes and increased bicycle parking will promote safer, sustainable access to beaches and trails.
The proposed changes reflect a thoughtful approach that balances public safety with public access. Malibu’s statement emphasizes that parking demand should never come at the expense of lives. Caltrans’ Pacific Coast Highway Master Plan Feasibility Study demonstrates a clear commitment to addressing these dual priorities, with solutions that include:
- Net Parking Gains: While approximately 1,535 spaces would be relocated, approximately 740 new spaces would be added under Caltrans’ proposed plans, with additional opportunities for off-street parking and shuttle services under consideration.
- Improved Traffic Flow and Visibility: Changes such as widened sidewalks and safer bike lanes further enhance safety for pedestrians and drivers.
The City of Malibu has issued a call to all stakeholders—including MRCA, Caltrans, and the Coastal Commission—to work together to achieve a shared vision of safety and sustainable access. Malibu remains committed to ensuring that PCH is a safe corridor for all who visit, live, and travel along this iconic highway.
“We believe safety must come first. Access must be achieved in a way that does not put lives at risk,” said Stewart. “Malibu will continue to advocate for solutions that protect residents, visitors, and the environment while allowing access to the area’s natural beauty.”
For more details on Malibu’s efforts to enhance safety, visit the city’s Pacific Coast Highway Safety page.
