Mayor Keller Strengthens Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety through New Legislation

ALBUQUERQUE – Mayor Tim Keller signed a historic overhaul of Albuquerque’s traffic code into law, establishing the strongest protections in city history for cyclists, pedestrians and other “vulnerable road users.”

Mayor Keller’s ordinance updates is the first comprehensive traffic code modernization since 1974 and was directly shaped by community outcry following the death of 19-year-old, Kayla Vanlandingham, who was struck by a vehicle crossing Carlisle Boulevard in July. Kayla was a beloved advocate for safe cycling and a staff member at the Esperanza Bicycle Safety Center, where the bill signing was held.

“This law honors Kayla, and every family who has endured the heartbreak of losing a loved one on our roads,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “This bill is about strengthening protections for all roadway users, preventing future tragedies and making Albuquerque streets safer.”

Major changes included in the new law are as follows:

• Updating and clarifying outdated language
• Updating the definition of a crosswalks
• Requiring drivers must stop for any vulnerable road users
• Bicycles, tricycles, skateboards, scooters, e-bikes and mirco-mobility devices shall have all the rights of a pedestrian
• Codifying the Idaho Stops law for bicyclists in Albuquerque (bicycles can now proceed through signalized intersections provided it’s safe for them to cross)
• Directing pedestrians to only use approved crossing zones
• Added definitions for trails, bikeways, pedestrian hybrid beacons, rectangular rapid flashing beacons, and vulnerable road users
• Creating a public safety awareness campaign around the new traffic laws

“For too long, our traffic code treated our streets as if they were only for cars. These updates recognize that people walk, bike, use wheelchairs, and travel in many different ways across Albuquerque. This is about making our city safer for everyone, and I'm proud we were able to get this done with unanimous support from the Council,” said City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn.

Vanlandingham’s mother, Melinda Montoya, who helped City teams with the new legislation, said Tuesday, “Kayla always said Albuquerque will be a better place. Today it is.”

The new rules were drafted by the Vision Zero team, Traffic Engineering Division and leaders from the Department of Municipal Development who came together with safety advocates to craft draft legislation that aims to improve safety for bicyclists and other vulnerable road users, such as wheelchair users, pedestrians, and mobility users.

Vision Zero is the city’s team of traffic engineers who are working to eliminate all traffic deaths. They have worked on a variety of pedestrian, bicycle and other safety projects that you can find at: https://www.cabq.gov/municipaldevelopment/maps/pedestrian-bicyclist-and-traffic-safety-projects

“Best practices in Vision Zero work toward creating safety redundancies in our transportation system so that when a traffic crash happens, it does not result in a fatality or serious injury. Revisiting our traffic code is an important step in that holistic approach to make our streets safer for everyone, especially our most vulnerable road users,” said Valerie Hermanson, Transportation Planning Manager in DMD.  

DMD teams are evaluating proposals for an education and awareness campaign this week. The campaign’s goals include education and awareness for drivers, pedestrians, drivers’ education courses, and City employees, including APD.

“We’re looking for the right partners now who can help us tell all of Albuquerque about the new laws and how they will save lives,” said Jennifer Turner, Director of the Department of Municipal Development. “Our streets will soon be safer for everyone now that this package of new rules, along with the educational campaign, becomes law.”

The new Traffic Code Ordinance can be found at 0-25-98

The amendment to create a public safety campaign can be found at R-25-196