SLOCOG Launches $36,000 Pop-Up Safety Mini-Grant Program

Funding from California Office of Traffic Safety will support temporary pedestrian and bicycle safety demonstrations across San Luis Obispo County

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) has launched a $36,000 Pop-Up Safety Mini-Grant Program to award up to six $6,000 grants for temporary pedestrian and bicycle safety demonstrations across San Luis Obispo County. The program, funded in part by the California Office of Traffic Safety, aims to help communities test safety improvements and advance safer streets.

Why it matters

San Luis Obispo County continues to see preventable crashes involving people walking and biking, particularly near schools, along busy corridors, and in rural areas. These pop-up demonstrations will provide a practical, community-driven way to improve safety, build local support, and lay the groundwork for future permanent safety projects and investments.

The details

The Pop-Up Safety Demonstration Mini-Grant Program will fund temporary, hands-on safety demonstrations that allow communities to 'test before we invest' in permanent street improvements. Projects may include high-visibility crosswalks, temporary curb extensions, school-area traffic safety pilots, or protected bike lane demonstrations. Each project will run from one day to one week and include community engagement and simple data collection.

  • Applications for the mini-grants are due by March 25th, 2026 at 5 p.m.
  • Pop-up demonstrations are anticipated to take place in Spring and Summer 2026.

The players

SLOCOG

The San Luis Obispo Council of Governments is an association of local governments in the San Luis Obispo County Region, providing transportation planning and funding for the region.

California Office of Traffic Safety

A state agency that provided grant funding to support SLOCOG's new Pop-Up Safety Demonstration Mini-Grant Program.

Pete Rodgers

The Executive Director of SLOCOG.

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What they’re saying

“These pop-up demonstrations give communities a chance to try real safety improvements in real time. It's a practical, community-driven way to improve safety, build local support, and lay the groundwork for future projects and investments.”

— Pete Rodgers, Executive Director, SLOCOG (edhat.com)

What’s next

Applications for the mini-grants will be reviewed by the Regional Road to Zero Committee, with pop-up demonstrations anticipated in Spring and Summer 2026.

The takeaway

This program provides a unique opportunity for San Luis Obispo County communities to test and gather feedback on temporary pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements, helping to build support and secure funding for future permanent safety projects that can save lives and make streets safer for everyone.