Marin Sees Uptick in
Active Trips to Schools

Anecdotal Signs at Schools

The numbers reflect what schools are experiencing on the ground. After the first Walk and Roll Wednesday of the year on September 10, schools such as Hamilton, Lynwood, Coleman, and Glenwood reached out to Safe Routes to Schools requesting additional incentives for their welcome tables. Each school had received the same allotment of incentives as last year.” At first we thought students were taking multiple prizes,” said Monica Leifer, Safe Routes’ Bilingual Coordinator. “But it turned out there were simply more students than ever coming up to participate.”

Hamilton Meadow Park in Novato has seen a noticeable increase in turnout in recent months. Erica Durwood, with partner organization Sustainable Schools Marin and co-host of all recent events, noted, “The kids are always pretty engaged, but this year even more so. They come to the table excited to share how they traveled to school.” Last year her organization counted about 100 participants; this year, that number is closer to 140.

According to Parametrix, the schools with the highest rates of active trips are:

• Park Elementary School (59%)
• Hall Middle School (57%)
• Mill Valley Middle School (57%)
• Neil Cummins Elementary School (55%)
• Ross School (54%)

Marin Students Turn Out in Force for IWalk

Local police departments lent a hand to cheer students on while keeping them safe. Novato Police Sergeant Reza Pourfarhani said his department received many school requests but had only two officers assigned to the traffic section—those officers ultimately attended the events at Rancho Elementary and San Ramon Elementary.

The Marin Independent Journal covered the celebration at Rancho Elementary, adding to the festive atmosphere on campus. Parent volunteer Norma Lara organized the event in partnership with Sustainable Marin Schools, while fellow parent Jeff Shankle led a sizable bike train—“probably double the largest bike train Rancho has ever had,” he said. Find the article and pictures here

Coleman, Wade Thomas, and Manor elementary schools drew extra excitement with the arrival of a fire truck, while many other schools brought out their mascots to cheer students on. One of them was Manor Elementary School, which hosted a massive event led by parent volunteer Erick Betancourt. “Our welcome table was a cackle of activity with prizes, a raffle, a bicycle smoothie blender with kids taking turns to blend the fruit, and our otter mascot hyping up the kids,” he said.

Lu Sutton Elementary School in Novato kicked off this school year with a Park and Walk contest that ran for six days, ending on our first Walk and Roll Wednesday on September 10th. Every student got a contest card (about 350) and 55 came back filled up. For being a pilot campaign, I would say that the contest was a huge success—the students were engaged and excited to turn in their contest cards and we have seen less traffic on Center Road, which is the main street in front of school. Since we carried out the contest, we have noticed more kids walking, biking and scooting safely along the street.

Lu Sutton is unique in that there is only one main way in and out of the school. In front of that entrance is  a very busy street, Center Rd. There are no cut-through paths or side streets to help students get to school safely and there are no bike lanes along Center Rd. To top it off, starting this fall, the traffic from Novato Blvd., a main artery in Novato, will be detoured onto Center Rd. There has already been exponentially more traffic impacting our students from the detour. With all these challenges, we felt that a Park and Walk campaign was a good solution to try.

The Park and Walk campaign has been a great opportunity for our students to explore new ways of getting to and from school. Moving forward, we have encouraged older students to designate a meeting point with their grown-ups a few blocks away to be dropped off in the morning and for pick-up in the afternoon. Our TK – 2nd grade students are required to be walked to and from their classroom, so we have encouraged their parents and caregivers to also park a few blocks away and ensure they are not parking in loading/unloading zones around the school driveways.

We may decide to run another contest later in the year to keep up the momentum, but for now, we will continue to encourage students and families to park and walk, scoot, bike and walk to school as much as they can.

New TAM Project Targets Safer Routes
for Students

Getting children to and from school safely is taking center stage in this county. The Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) has launched the School Access Safety Action Plan, a countywide effort funded by the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All program.

The plan will analyze ten years of crash data around schools and carry out on-the-ground safety audits with engineers, parents, and local leaders. Findings will shape custom safety plans for ten priority areas, identifying practical steps to reduce risks for children walking and biking to school.

However, the benefits of the plan will go beyond the top ten priority areas. The crash analysis will identify trends and the toolkit will provide strategies to improve safety around all schools.  

A key partner in this effort is Safe Routes to Schools. By working together, there will be a one-time increase in the number of walk audits allowed in a year, going from five to 15. This will give more schools and neighborhoods tailored recommendations. Cities and towns will also gain the guidance they need to compete for construction funding that can improve sidewalks, crossings, and bike lanes.

For parents, this project is about peace of mind. “Every child deserves to arrive at school safely,” TAM officials said in a statement.

Parents and educators are encouraged to attend Safe Routes task force meetings to track progress and share input. Project updates will be posted in upcoming weeks, so please check them out at www.saferoutestoschools.org.

The initiative has the potential to reshape the school commute for thousands of Marin students—making it safer, healthier, and less stressful for families every single day.

Youth Leading Active Communities: Students Stepping Up for Change

By Aneri Rodriguez, SEI Program Director

“Walking and rolling to school
makes our bodies and our planet happy!”

That’s the kind of message you’ll hear from students involved in Youth Leading Active Communities (YLAC) — a pilot program created by SEI in partnership with Safe Routes to Schools and Parametrix. Launched two years ago, YLAC now supports eight schools across Marin County, helping young leaders inspire their classmates to walk, bike, and roll more often.

Each participating school has a YLAC site lead who works directly with students, giving them the tools to become advocates for safer streets and cleaner ways to get to school. Whether they’re leading walk audits, creating posters and presentations, or giving schoolwide assemblies, YLAC students are raising awareness about how fewer cars on the road mean safer, healthier communities.

The program adapts to each school’s needs and creativity. Some groups focus on identifying barriers to walking and biking; others dive into outreach projects or organize community events. No matter the approach, the message stays the same: students have the power to make change happen.

Through YLAC, students have written letters to principals, mapped safer routes, and led their peers in discovering the many benefits of active travel. In the process, they’re not just changing how people get to school — they’re shaping the future of their communities.

New Law Bans Class 2 E-Bikes for Kids Under 16 in Marin

Starting this summer, it will be illegal for anyone under 16 to ride a Class 2 throttle e-bike in Marin County. Under California’s new AB 1778 law, these motorized bikes—which do not require pedaling and can reach higher speeds—are now restricted due to growing safety concerns. The law also mandates helmet use for all Class 2 riders, regardless of age.

The legislation comes in response to a troubling spike in serious injuries among youth. Marin Public Health reports that children aged 10 to 15 are five times more likely than other age groups to suffer e-bike incidents requiring ambulance transport and hospitalization. Many Class 2 models are easily switched to exceed 20 mph or the legal 750-watt power limit, effectively turning them into unregulated e-motorcycles—often without parents realizing it.

In response, the County of Marin, the Transportation Authority of Marin, the Marin County Office of Education, and community partners have launched a safety initiative: the E-Bikers Club campaign. With bold messaging and student appeal, the campaign makes it clear: Riding safely is what the savvy kids do. The campaign promotes safer choices, such as Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes, which have more manageable speeds and require active pedaling. It also emphasizes the importance of helmets, responsible riding, and buying legal e-bikes from reputable local shops that provide service and maintenance.

“It’s not about saying ‘no’ to e-bikes,” says Gwen Froh, Program Director of Safe Routes to Schools. “It’s about saying ‘yes’ to the right e-bike for a child’s age and ability.”

The combined effort of AB 1778 and the E-Bikers Club campaign is a crucial step toward reducing injuries and promoting safe, independent mobility for Marin’s youth.

Through our Safe Routes to Schools classes, thousands of students each year learn the basics of bike—and now e-bike—safety. The new Youth E-Bike Safety Education campaign strengthens these efforts, helping families choose the right e-bike so students can ride smart, stay safe, and roll with confidence. 

Watch the new E-Bikers Club video and explore more resources for parents and students at Safe Routes E-Bike Education.

Calling All Middle and
High School E-Bikers

Ready to ride smarter, safer, and with more confidence? Join us for Marin County Bicycle Coalition’s Teen E-bike Smart Marin class on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Mill Valley Middle School, 425 Sycamore Ave., Mill Valley.

Register here

The combined effort of AB 1778 and the E-Bikers Club campaign is a crucial step toward reducing injuries and promoting safe, independent mobility for Marin’s youth.

Marin’s Bike Heroes Announced

Pily’s tenacity is also shown in other aspects of her life. “She arrived with just one month left of school and has worked so hard to learn English and catch up with her peers in math, language arts, and science. Pily is a consummate Olive Shark!” says teacher Emily Steffy. 

LILY WILD, White Hill Middle, 7th grade
Lily bikes to school every day to make it to 00 period band class that starts at 7:10 in the morning. She safely bikes in the rain, in the dark, and on beautiful days. “Cycling before 7am in winter with lights on is no easy feat,” her nominators said. She always stops at stop signs and uses hand signals to let cars know she is turning or changing lanes.

KEIRA KUCHEL, Brookside Elementary, 4th grade
Keira has been riding since she could walk. She rides two miles to school every day from Fairfax to Brookside Elementary School in San Anselmo. She started riding to school in 2nd grade with her parents, but this school year she started riding by herself. You may spot Keira cruising through Fairfax with her school hamster backpack on weekdays, and on weekends on one of the great trails around Fairfax (even Tamarancho!).

KAI MILLIET, Davidson Middle, 6th grade
Kai is a cautious, responsible, safe, and consistent cyclist who gets himself to school on time throughout the year and is proud to do so! His route to school takes him across major thoroughfares, like 2nd and 3rd Streets in San Rafael. He gets to school safely and on time while not riding out of control.

Celebrating Nine Incredible Volunteers

This year, Safe Routes to Schools proudly honors nine dedicated volunteers who are retiring from their roles after years of inspiring students to walk, bike, and roll to school. Each month, these parent and school champions brought Walk and Roll Wednesdays and contests to life—welcoming families, cheering on students, and building a culture of active transportation. We thank them for their tireless commitment and lasting impact. Here is who they are.

 For the last four years, Joey and Stacie Shepp have led a school-wide walk and roll campaign at Manor Elementary to resounding success. Walk and Roll Wednesdays at Manor are popular community events. A large contingent of students and parents participated in Joey’s bike trains through the town of Fairfax, ending with hot drinks at a welcome table hosted by Stacie. Twice a year, the Shepps coordinated with the Fairfax fire department to provide a fire truck escort and turn the bike train into a parade. Fairfax, the birthplace of Safe Routes to Schools, continues to be a leader in active transportation thanks to Joey and Stacie.

Jason Cardillo, Wade Thomas Elementary

Jason Cardillo and his son, Alessandro, have been helping to lead a bike train to Wade Thomas for years. Thanks to Jason’s efforts, the school has seen a continual uptick in the number of families who ride. This spring, 87 students out of 250 at Wade Thomas participated in the Spring Challenge, which requires students to walk or ride once a week for four weeks. Through continual vigilance to keep students safe and a commitment to ride every day, Jason has led the way in creating an active morning commute at Wade Thomas.

Anjuli Marotto, Neil Cummins Elementary

Anjuli Marotto stepped in two years ago to lead Walk and Roll Wednesdays at Neil Cummins and gave it a jump start. She invited police and the school mascot to her iWalk events in the fall and organized a school-wide bike train. Her Spring Challenges were always successful with well over a hundred students participating. “Anjuli brought back the excitement and anticipation of walk and roll events and got our families thinking about how to be more active. I’m very appreciative of what she’s done for our community,” said Kyle Shaw, principal of Neil Cummins.

Amy Barash, Vallecito Elementary

Amy Barash stepped in to manage the Safe Routes program at Vallecito last year, quickly ramping up efforts to get more families to walk and ride. She helped coordinate a different drop-off spot so students could walk in from the back of the school and, with the help of her whole family, hosted welcome tables every month. “Amy has shown a deep commitment to her school community and I am so thankful for her efforts,” said Elizabeth Foehr, Vallecito principal.

Titan Davis, Olive Elementary

Ti Davis came to the rescue of the Safe Routes to Schools program at Olive Elementary just when he was most needed. The program had lost all its volunteers at once and had gone six months without any encouragement events. Motivated by his friend Casey Ward, a parent volunteer at San Ramon, Titan decided to take the plunge and step up–even if he had to do it alone. “We had a great time! My first grader almost always joined me at the events. Safe Routes wasn’t active at the school when I got involved, so we made that happen,” says Ti.

Even though Ti is stepping away from the lead position, he plans to continue helping with events as much as his work schedule allows. “My youngest is starting TK at Olive next year, so I’ll be around,” he notes. “I’m happy for someone else to take the lead, though–life is busy.”

Maria Guadalupe Godoy, Olive Elementary

For the past year, Maria has manned Safe Routes to Schools events at the back entrance of Olive Elementary. She made sure that yellow bus riders could join the raffles and receive their incentives. Always prepared, Maria welcomed the large group, which included her own son. Maria’s youngest son is graduating and heading to middle school, so she’ll no longer be helping at Olive, but she’ll be missed by the Safe Routes team and the entire school community.

Martha Sanchez, Laurel Dell Elementary

“Martha has always been so helpful at the school!” says Laurel Dell Community Liaison Pilar Sanchez. “She’s going to be sorely missed.” That same generous spirit is what led Martha to join the Safe Routes to Schools team two years ago. Without hesitation, she jumped in–ready to make a difference. Martha looked forward to brief but meaningful conversations with the children as they arrived on campus. “I truly enjoyed teaching the students that using active transportation is a good thing,” she says.Now, as her daughter prepares to move on to Davidson Middle School, Martha is wrapping up her time as a volunteer, leaving a lasting mark on the school community.

Sindy Rivera, Laurel Dell Elementary

Not only did Sindy host all the events and contests proposed by Safe Routes to Schools in the last two years, but she also volunteered to do extra dates. For example, she felt compelled to celebrate Earth Day last April with a Walk and Roll to School Day to instill care for the environment in the students. “And that was on top of doing the Adventure Challenge, which was starting later that month,” clarifies Safe Routes’ Bilingual Coordinator Monica Leifer. Sindy loved the experience so much that she offered to continue her volunteering at Coleman Elementary, where both her children are going next year.