Keep State Street Car-Free
Santa Barbara City Council
Sign the Petition: Keep State Street Car-Free
Strong Towns Santa Barbara is calling on everyone to urge the City Council to make State Street permanently car-free from Haley to Victoria. Now is a critical moment: as decisions about State Street’s future are being made, it’s vital to remind Council that our community overwhelmingly supports a vibrant, walkable promenade.
The evidence shows:
Widespread Support: A city survey with more than 5,000 responses found that 79% of residents want State Street to remain car-free. Strong Towns’ survey of over 40 businesses revealed that 75% opposed reopening to vehicles, with many reporting increased foot traffic and stronger sales.
Improved Safety: Since cars were removed in 2020, State Street has gone from one of Santa Barbara’s most dangerous streets to a far safer corridor for people walking and biking. This aligns with the city’s Vision Zero and Safe Streets for All commitments.
Economic Vitality: Today’s vacancy rate downtown is lower than before the pandemic, even as national retail continues to struggle. Research shows that walkable, attractive streets drive stronger economic performance and create places people want to spend time.
Climate & Sustainability: A car-free State Street reduces carbon emissions and noise while promoting biking, walking, and transit. Half of the more than 1 million miles ridden on BCycle bike share were on lower State Street.
The choice is clear: a permanent, pedestrian-focused Grand Paseo will make State Street safer, more vibrant, and more economically resilient while strengthening its role as the heart of Santa Barbara.
Add your name today to ensure City Council hears the community’s voice: Keep State Street car-free.
Sponsored by
To:
Santa Barbara City Council
From:
[Your Name]
Dear Santa Barbara City Council,
We write to you as Santa Barbara residents — business owners, renters, and homeowners — who care deeply about the future of State Street. The choices made about State Street directly shape our daily lives: where we work, shop, and connect with one another. A thriving, welcoming downtown is essential not only to our quality of life but also to the cultural and economic vitality of the entire city.
That's why we urge you to commit to a permanently car-free State Street from Haley to Victoria, open and welcoming to pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit.
As we make crucial decisions regarding the future of State Street, we urge you to build a vibrant, car-free promenade, designed as the Santa Barbara-style “Grand Paseo” that has emerged as the consensus choice following years of collaborative community conversations.
The facts demonstrate that the most successful and thriving State Street will result from:
Formalizing a final commitment to a car-free public promenade, from the 500 block to the 1200 block. This includes ensuring the entire Arts District is car-free, as past attempts to reintroduce cars there have been counterproductive.
Creating a pedestrian-centered space with separated paths for bicyclists and public shuttles along its entire length, through a flat and flexible design that provides a sense of comfort and place for everyone sharing the space.
Fostering a lively, inviting, equitable, and human-scale “third place” that is enjoyable for all to visit and spend time in and incorporating increased housing and public amenities such as art, seating, play areas, shade trees, outdoor dining, and accessible restrooms.
We are excited to work together to create this Grand Paseo on State Street for the 8 blocks from Haley to Victoria. We urge you to take the decisive step of committing to a permanently car-free State Street Promenade. Let's build upon the success of the last five years and create a safe, economically productive, and enjoyable space in the heart of our downtown for generations to come.
In community,
Strong Towns Santa Barbara