Increased safety along the highway, also referred to as Saratoga­Los Gatos Road, is the latest buzz in the community after two recent deaths and numerous accidents. Community members and government officials are taking matters into their own hands to improve safety for bikers, pedestrians and vehicles along the scenic highway. The highway is maintained by the California Department of Transportation, but winds through Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and Saratoga.

Monte Sereno residents Lana Malloy and JoAnne Peth, who live along Highway 9, can be seen on a regular basis outside local businesses like Walgreen's. They've collected more than 200 signatures on a petition advocating for a safer Highway 9. They presented the petition at a Monte Sereno City Council meeting May 4 and a Saratoga City Council meeting May 5, and they said they plan to obtain as many as 1,000 signatures.

The two individuals started a group called Citizens for Safety on Route 9, which isn't associated with the city of Monte Sereno. Therefore, the group isn't governed by the Brown Act—a law that mandates that government agencies meet in public forums. If the city forms its own safety committee, Malloy and Peth said, they'll think about joining.

"People really want to know what can be done to the highway," Malloy said. "I see what goes on. I live on this highway. I see the rampant drivers."

Peth noted that Caltrans workers had been out trimming shrubbery away from the road on May 4 and making signage more visible. Peth added that the family of Gina Loveday, a 41-year-old mother of three who was the victim of a fatal accident that occurred on Highway 9, has expressed an interest in helping with the citizens' campaign.

"People need to be educated and realize that Highway 9 was once a highway to get from one end to the other. But now you have 85, and Highway 9 is more of a residential road," Malloy said. "People say it's a highway, but it's really a residential street."

Even though there are portions of the highway in Saratoga that offer gravel shoulders for cyclists, Malloy said fast bikers want to use the pavement. Peth added that many parents they've talked to during the petition process don't let their children walk or ride down the highway.

Anderson, a Saratoga resident who lives off Quito Road, said a February hit-and-run accident, which resulted from the actions of a drunken driver, could not have been prevented. The accident in March involving Loveday occurred at night, when she was crossing the highway walking her dog. Anderson suggested people not wear dark clothing at night when exercising along Saratoga­Los Gatos Road.

"I would like to see a little more indoctrination on the bikers themselves," said Anderson, adding he'd also appreciate local bike shops taking a larger role in informing their customers about bike safety.

Officials from Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and Saratoga—including mayors, engineers, public works employees, city managers, council members and law enforcement officials—and a representative from state Sen. Bruce McPherson's office met with two representatives from Caltrans in late April.

"We wanted to put the heat on them," said Monte Sereno Mayor Erin Garner. "We wanted to let them know this is important to the area."

About a year and a half ago, Garner requested that Caltrans conduct a safety study of Highway 9, and no design flaws were found by Caltrans employees, which Garner said was unbelievable.

"We initially viewed Caltrans as a monolith—they were difficult to communicate with," he said. "What we learned was that they were on the same side as us. They understood that safety requires attention along the corridor."

Garner said he'd like Caltrans to do another analysis to see if design flaws in the road contributed to the accidents. Caltrans is planning to repave and restripe the road this summer, and Garner said he'd like to see a wider and safer passage for pedestrians and bicyclists included in the process.

"We've got some areas where I see people all the time that are clearly unsafe," Garner said.

Unsafe spots include where the road narrows from two lanes to one lane, where the speed limits change and where the pedestrian lanes narrow to a foot or less, Garner said. The Los Gatos­Monte Sereno Police Department and Westside Sheriff's Substation have also agreed to step up enforcement to address speed issues along the highway, Garner said.

Caltrans representatives assured Garner and those officials present at the meeting that progress would be made on the Highway 9 issue in the following six weeks.

"They are willing to play the game, but it has to meet their standards," said Monte Sereno City Manager Brian Loventhal.

Loventhal said the city of Monte Sereno will host a public meeting in less than five weeks to help community members stay educated about proper safety precautions when traveling along Highway 9.

"I hope that these tragedies don't go essentially unanswered," Garner said.