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.

Infrastructure Improvements Benefit
Corte Madera and Larkspur Students

The improvements focused on the intersections of Wornum/Nellen and Fifer/Nellen in Corte Madera, near Highway 101.

The end of construction marked the culmination of more than 12 years of planning efforts involving a wide range of stakeholders, including the Town of Corte Madera, City of Larkspur, Transportation Authority of Marin, Caltrans, Bay Trail, local citizens, organizations (including Safe Routes to Schools and the Marin County Bicycle Coalition), and school parents.

Flurry of Activities Encourage Students to Use Green Travel

This spring, Marin elementary schools are gearing up for a season of fun, eco-friendly challenges designed to encourage students to walk, bike, or roll to school. All elementary schools in Marin will be able to choose three out of four different activities offered by the Safe Routes to Schools program to encourage their students to use their feet to go to class.

The year has already begun with the Have a Heart Challenge from Feb. 3 -14. In March, the Dr. Seuss Walk and Roll to School will add a fun, themed twist to the event. In April, schools can choose between two events: Make It an Adventure, a four-week active travel challenge, or a special Walk and Roll Day celebrating Planet Earth.

What makes the Have a Heart Challenge unique is that no parent volunteers are required to take action, as families will self-report their modes of travel to class. School staff will determine the winning classroom at the end of the two-week challenge. The winning class at each school can choose between an ice cream party and a raffled scooter.

In April, the Make it an Adventure Challenge will have students walking and rolling on a weekly basis. Volunteers will track student participation by placing stickers on their cards once a week for four weeks. At the end of the contest, which coincides with National Bike to School Day, adventure-themed books will be raffled off among the students with the highest participation.

Schools that opt out of the challenge must notify the Safe Routes team in advance. They will be provided with materials to celebrate Earth month with a Walk and Roll event on April 2. The prize for this event will be flower seeds that the students can plant in their gardens or on the school grounds.

No matter which event schools choose, these activities will help students build lifelong green habits: —one step, pedal, or roll at a time.

School Travel Stats Now Live
on SR2S Website

Every semester, student travel surveys are conducted across Marin County to better understand how students commute to school. These results are now accessible through the new Marin County Safe Routes to Schools Dashboard, an interactive online tool that displays travel mode trends at participating schools. The dashboard compiles data from teacher-led classroom tallies conducted twice a year, in October and May. Over three days, teachers record how students travel to and from school. Averaging the data over multiple days ensures a more accurate snapshot of weekday travel patterns while also accounting for student absences. 

The dashboard offers insights into primary modes of travel, daily travel mode shares, and the percentage of “green” (carpool or bus) and “active” trips (walking or rolling.) Users can filter data by survey period or school, allowing them to explore trends for specific campuses. Each school’s section displays the number of students surveyed and classrooms included, providing important content. An integrated map highlights the selected school’s location, and a description pane offers a step-by-step guide to ensure smooth navigation.  

Currently only data for Fall 2024 is available, but additional survey results will be added over time. According to the latest tally, 48% of all student trips in Marin County are green, with elementary schools averaging 44% and middle schools reaching 61%.  

This dashboard is a valuable resource for schools, families, and the community. By providing clear insights into student travel habits, it helps promote sustainable and active commuting–supporting healthier lifestyles and reducing environmental impact. You can access the dashboard through the Safe Routes website or
using this link. 

Buddy Up: Contest Winners 2024

Congratulations to the four groups of students from White Hill, Neil Cummins, Bacich, and Kent, who received this year’s BUDDY UP Contest Award. These students walk, bike, or carpool to school together every day. They reduce traffic and pollution, get great exercise, and save their parents time and money. Safe Routes will be giving each Buddy group a $50 gift card.

Here are their stories in their own words (or their parents’):

BACICH ELEMENTARY: Danny Budzik 2nd grade, Ben Budzik 4th grade, Marco Mysyk 2nd grade, Jacob Weitzberg 2nd grade 

These four boys have a blast biking together! They have discovered new pathways, learned important safety practices from each other, and most of all, enjoyed the camaraderie. They love getting exercise before school and saying “hi” to the crossing guards every morning.

NEIL CUMMINS ELEMENTARY: Harper Fleck, Luke Williams, Cami Warga (all Kindergartners)

Harper, Luke, and Cami are Kindergartners at Neil Cummins. These kiddos love biking to school, which is impressive for their short, little legs because they live 2.5 miles from school. They carpool together to school when they are not lucky enough to bike to school laughing and telling jokes the whole way. When not biking, you can find them in the cul-de-sac on their scooters or playing at each other’s houses.

KENT MIDDLE: Oak Kahn 5th grade, Miles West 6th grade 

Every day, Oak is always outside on his bike riding around waiting for me and calling my name. I think it’s pretty funny because he rides around for like 10 minutes even though there might be 15 minutes until we have to go. He is really loyal because even if I am late, he will still wait for me even if it’s like 8:20 or 8:30. It’s really nice to have a Bike Buddy.

WHITE HILL MIDDLE: Elle, Kai, GG, Emma, Juliet, Ruby
(all 6th graders)

These buddies live just a few hundred feet from one another and have enjoyed biking to and from school. When they can’t bike, they walk or get rides together! They have dreamed about doing this together since elementary school and it’s a huge highlight of being in middle school together.

Edna Maguire Dads Energize School Community Through Walk & Roll Campaign

Edna Maguire Elementary fathers, Nate Stone and Charlie Vaughan-Griffith, have taken the school’s Walk & Roll campaign to new heights this year, boosting participation and energizing the community. They’ve used events like the Safe Routes’ Ruby Bridges Day and a more frequent event schedule to encourage families to walk or ride to school.

“We like to get people talking and connected,” Nate, a PTA member and volunteer, said. Together, Nate and Charlie now run bi-monthly events with 70 kids walking and rolling to school regularly.

Edna Maguire principal Daniel McCord praised their efforts. “They’re making it fun and exciting to walk and ride to school,” he said. “I love feeling the energy in the morning when the kids arrive.”

The Ruby Bridges event in November saw a record 150 parents and children walking from the community center to school, honoring Civil Rights icon Ruby Bridges. “The turnout was incredible,” Charlie said, recalling the joy of seeing so many families involved.” The success has sparked a desire for more weekly events, though organizing them requires personal outreach. Nate said connecting individually with families is key.

The pair also leads a monthly dad’s group, which has grown from 10 members to 45. Nate’s passion for community involvement stems from his own experience of being new to Edna Maguire. “After working 20 years behind a desk, this is what I always wanted—being active in my community,” he shared. Walk and roll events bring families together to build an active, vibrant community.

Illegal “E-Bikes” to be Removed from Select School Campuses

Of the nine middle school principal responses obtained by Safe Routes to Schools, nearly 100% reported a need for more parent education and recommended a countywide marketing campaign to increase awareness for purchasing legal, age and skill-appropriate e-bikes for students. Many parents are still confused over what is legal or not for their student to ride, mainly with the popular Class 2 brands that are illegal in California (CVC 312.5 (a)). These e-motorcycles exceed the mandated 750 watts and maximum 20 MPH speed limitation to qualify as low-speed e-bikes in our state.
Of the principals contacted, 80% suggest that local law enforcement should institute a diversion program similar to the one conducted in Mill Valley (if cited, students and their parents must attend an e-bike class to waive the citation from the student’s record). At least three of the five administrators with parking permits reported that some students are exploiting the school policy by parking illegal devices off campus.

“Principals and law enforcement have been tremendous allies in our combined effort to keep students safe on legal e-bikes that fit children’s age and skill levels,” said Safe Routes Program Director, Gwen Froh. “Teaching children to be law abiding citizens – for their own safety and the safety of others – has been our goal for 25 years, and we need parent, student and community support to achieve this endeavor.”

Walk and Roll Increases
Vitamin D Production

Walking or biking to school is more than just a way to fit in some exercise—it also gives kids a healthy boost from sunlight exposure. According to Dr. Stephen I. Katz, former director at the NIH, “You need very little exposure—something like 10 to 15 minutes a day to the backs of your hands, arms, and face—to get enough vitamin D,” which is essential for strong bones and a resilient immune system.

Morning sunlight doesn’t just stop at bone health—it also works wonders for mood and sleep. Sunlight helps boost serotonin, the “feel-good” chemical, making kids feel more positive and focused during the day. It also helps regulate melatonin, the hormone that makes falling asleep easier at night. According to the National Institutes of Health, morning sun exposure helps set kids up for better sleep, which is crucial for their growth and overall well-being.

Dr. Barnett S. Kramer, a cancer prevention expert, adds, “The time to really start sun protective behavior is not when you reach adulthood, but years before.” That means parents should encourage safe sun exposure—getting enough for the benefits but being cautious to avoid long-term skin risks.

So, when the sun is shining, grabbing those bikes or heading out on foot to school isn’t just good for exercise—it’s also a great way to give your kids a sunny start to a healthier day.

Wade Thomas Sees a
Rising Tide of Biking Families

By Nick Pappas*

San Anselmo neighbors Jason Cardillo and Amanda Schwartz have been “bikepooling” their kids to Wade Thomas Elementary for years. Over time, they’ve seen a consistent rise in the number of bike families parents on cargo bikes, families riding together, and, as they get older, kids traveling solo and with friends.

“We’re now at the point where we have more parents dropping off kids from bikes than we do from cars at the back of school,” Jason said.

Jason credits San Anselmo’s dense traffic and the town’s narrow streets for making driving less desirable. “It’s faster to ride a bike,” he said. Electric cargo bikes also make moving kids and backpacks easier and more fun.

“It just snowballs. The more mainstream it is, the more people see others doing it, the more participation we get,” he said.

With the surge in popularity, Wade Thomas parents are organizing to coordinate and talk about ways to make the ride safer and more fun for everyone. Jason and Amanda are part of a neighborhood effort to form a bike train a daily meetup for families and kids to ride together safely along Wade Thomas’s recommended safe routes to school.

While it’s still in the early stages, parents are optimistic that riding together will be an increasingly popular option for parents and kids, will be safer and more fun, and can reduce traffic risk on the school route.

“At the end of the day, it’s just the best way to get to school. They may not always jump out of bed ready to bike, but the moment feet are on pedals everyone’s having a great time,” said Nick Pappas, one of the parents helping organize. “Bike time with friends, fresh air, and light exercise -it’s a mile of smiles.”

Even though the designated school route is on backstreets, it’s still a popular route for car traffic looking for a shortcut around downtown, as well as parents and teens driving to neighboring schools. The route’s narrow streets and blind curves can present conflict risk with oncoming drivers.

“Our kids have been doing a great job learning how to be safe, courteous riders but there’s not much we can do about drivers who think the school route is the place to make up time when they’re running late,” Nick said. “Riding safely, together with parents and friends is a great way to reduce conflict risk.”

Jason, who has been the Wade Thomas parent volunteer for years, will be leaving the role behind with optimism when his son graduates this year. “It’s been amazing to see the growing enthusiasm on our school route. We’re reducing traffic, teaching kids confidence and independence, and helping the environment with great friends and memories along the way.”

*Nick Pappas is the father of a Wade Thomas student and leader of the bike train.

Eyes Up – Street Smarts
Banners Go Up

From September 23 through the end of November 15, you will again see bright and colorful banners and lawn signs popping up all over Marin asking people to keep their “Eyes Up” and be alert. These signs will be asking drivers to slow down, watch when turning and look for pedestrians in the crosswalk; bicyclists to yield to pedestrians and to follow the rules of the road; and those walking to pay attention when crossing the street.

Volunteer Luncheon

New Pathway to Benefit Venetia Valley Students

The pathway will link Rafael Meadows and other neighborhoods west of US Highway 101 with existing multi-use paths on the east side. Currently, to reach the school, active travelers must go along busy Merrydale Road and North San Pedro Road, both of which have fast moving vehicles, long crossings, and highway ramps.

The project was initially identified through an inclusive planning process involving Safe Routes to Schools, students, parents, and staff from the K-8 School. The site where the pathway will be built is owned by several different groups, making coordination challenging. Consensus was reached for the good of the community, thanks in part to a walk audit held by Safe Routes to Schools that brought together community members, City staff, SMART, and Caltrans.

Safe Routes Salutes “Retiring” Volunteer and Family Liaison

There would not be a Safe Routes to Schools program without dedicated parent volunteers and family liaisons. As the 2023-24 school year comes to an end, the organization would like to recognize their work. Through their commitment and effort, more students are getting to school safely and actively. Although these parents and school staff are “retiring” from their role, their influence will continue to be felt. Safe Routes salutes and thanks the following:

VIRGINIA MENZEL – Loma Verde Elementary

After dedicating 23 years to Novato schools, community liaison Virginia Menzel is retiring from the district. Throughout her time at Loma Verde Elementary, she played a pivotal role in sustaining the program, especially during the past three years. During this period, she actively participated in parent volunteer and family liaison meetings, co-hosted welcome tables, and publicized various events and contests.

BRIA LARSON – Park Elementary

For the past two years, Bria Larson managed a robust Safe Routes program at Park School in Mill Valley. “Walk and Roll Wednesdays were a veritable party at Park School. We had it all…music, smiles, and so many pencils and erasers! I loved getting to know kids from all grades, and even had some student helpers greeting their classmates each month,” Larson said. “The sense of community and fun was infectious.”

Six Perfect Roll Models

Many teachers and school administrators in Marin County use their bikes (or skateboard!) for transportation. Most do it rain or shine, traveling distances as long as Petaluma-San Rafael. Regardless how short or long their commute, these educators exemplify a healthy life style and care for the planet, not only for their students but also for the community at large. They are the perfect roll models. Here are just six of them.

MATT POPE: Venetia Valley School (San Rafael)
Matt Pope is the ultimate “green” commuter. Everyday, he rides SMART from his home in Petaluma to downtown San Rafael. Then, he bikes to Venetia Valley School, where he teaches. Sometimes, Mr. Pope gets off in Novato and rides all the way back to Petaluma. “I never realized how much mental stress comes with driving and waiting in traffic. Now, I arrive at school at least an hour before the bell which gives me time to ground myself, breathe and prepare for each day,” he said.

MIKE RUNYEON: Rancho Elementary (Novato)
“Even in the rain, I still ride. Of course, I make sure to dress accordingly. There is no bad weather, just bad equipment,” says Mike Runyeon, a PE teacher at Rancho Elementary, referring to his endurance during the rainy season. He normally rides SMART from Petaluma to a Novato station and from there, rides his bike to school.

DAVID SNAITH: San Rafael High School (San Rafael)
David Snaith, a math teacher at San Rafael High School, commutes 12 miles two or three days a week. “Seeing people out and about, whether they are walking, riding, or gardening in their front yard is wonderful. That creates a sense of community I never get while in my car,” he said.

JAMES SIEVERT, Bel Aire Elementary (Tiburon)
His love of cycling and children led James Sievert, a teacher by training, to serve as lead instructor with Safe Routes to Schools for ten years. Now, as a PE teacher, Mr. Sievert rides to class from his home in Mill Valley every day, rain or shine, and also does crossing guard duty at his school. He says that, “It is great to help our students who are walking, biking or using remote drop off to get home from school.”

BRANDON DEMONT: Miller Creek Middle School (San Rafael)
Brandon DeMont teaches 7th and 8th grade science. Every day, he commutes about six miles from Fairfax, over a steep hill in Sleepy Hollow and down to Terra Linda, where the school is located. For him, riding his bike is far faster and more rewarding than driving a car. “Riding my bike gives me a chance to get exercise and feel ready for a full day of teaching,” he says. “When I ride home after a busy day I process the events of the day and reflect before joining my wife and two-year-old daughter at home.”

JIMMY LOPEZ: Laurel Dell Elementary (San Rafael)
Laurel Dell students are getting used to seeing their new Principal Jimmy Lopez going around school in his very ‘cool’ skateboard. While it’s not possible for Mr. Lopez to commute on his skateboard because he lives in the East Bay, he doesn’t miss the opportunity to show the children not only his skills but also the benefits of rolling to school. “I have loved skateboarding since I was a kid,” he says.

Instructional Video on Biking and Walking Groups Live on SR2S Website

A brand-new video about how to create a bike train and a walking school bus is now available for all interested on the Safe Routes to Schools website. 

“Bike trains” and “walking school buses” are groups of students who bike or walk together to school under parental supervision. Traveling as a group increases visibility to cars and therefore makes biking or walking safer. It encourages fun and friendship and it often incorporates cooperation among parents so that some can take the lead while others stay home or go to work. 

The instructional material was put together with the cooperation of seasoned parent volunteers who have been doing it for a long time. During a recorded webinar in April, the volunteers shared their experience and tips on how to succeed at encouraging young riders and their families to join their groups. The webinar is full of useful tips on how to organize a route, how to encourage your child to bike or walk every day, how to communicate and cooperate with other parents in supervising.

Safe Routes to Schools is currently intent on increasing the number of groups traveling together to school all over Marin County in the near future. “The walking school bus was transformative for our family because it created an opportunity to spend uninterrupted time without cell phones,” said Juliet Starrett, a parent at Vallecito elementary who started a walking school bus. “And, our kids showed up ready for school.” 

Parents who actively commute with their children say it is a precious time to connect with each other and to enjoy some natural sights and sounds along the route.

Walking and Rolling Help Children’s Brains

Research/Scan compliments of Dr. Chuck Hillman, University of Illinois

Juliet soon read about “walking school buses,” a concept advocated by the federal Department of Transportation, to encourage children and parents to walk to school together. She made a flyer advertising it at Vallecito and outlined meeting places and a route where parents could drop off their kids “rain or shine.”

At first, about 10 children joined the Starretts on their route. Over time, however, more families came along and some parents parked and walked if they lived far away. Friendships formed. On its biggest days, the bus included 40 people.

“Parents would say, ‘I can’t walk because I have a full-time job,’’ Juliet said. “But I also had a full-time job and I still had time to walk in the morning and get to the city by 9 am. It takes a little bit of intention and a little bit of a mindset change to make walking a part of your day.”

National Bike to School Day
Is Wednesday May 8, 2024

Grease up those chains for National Bike to School Day on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.  All Marin public and private schools are encouraged to join the day of celebration benefiting healthy students and the planet.  Come one and all – even those who live too far, by parking and rolling (or walking) a short distance to school.  Volunteers will hand out reflective, neon stickers to the small pedalers while other prizes will be available for the middle and high schoolers at participating schools.  

Safe Routes Partners with SEI
at Title I Schools

“Because SEI is already working with students in many of Safe Routes schools, this partnership will allow for increased awareness of our mission of safety for all students,” said Gwen Froh, Safe Routes to Schools Program Director.

The new partner is a natural fit for Safe Routes to Schools, given that it provides leadership training and guidance to students who want to help implement different programs in their campuses. “Students are often great ambassadors and can effectively promote the Safe Routes to Schools programs,” Froh points out. Through SEI’s partnership, for example, students at Hamilton have already completed a walk audit to provide input on safety needs along routes to their campus.

Alexis Fineman, SEI Associate Director, explains that her organization is partnering with Safe Routes to Schools to build student agency and leadership skills for transportation. She points out that SEI’s expanded program, Youth Leading Active Communities (YLAC), is designed to engage students at Marin schools that present obstacles to high levels of active transportation. SEI’s goal is to promote key elements of the program into the classroom, including the identification of suggested routes and support for active transportation across campuses.

The two organizations had previously partnered on a project at Terra Linda High School in 2015.

Novato Forms School Travel Working Group

The City of Novato has a new School Travel Working Group, formed to explore the barriers and opportunities for green travel and to develop programs that would best motivate Novato families to walk, roll, and carpool to campus. Since yellow bus service to schools was cut over a decade ago, many families got into the habit of driving students to campus.    

To address the high rate of school-related traffic, Safe Routes to Schools has partnered with the City of Novato’s Sustainability Coordinator, the Novato School District communications specialist, Sustainable Schools, and the Complete Streets and Pathways Oversight committee members. The team’s goal is to provide access to safe and healthy travel for all students.  Traffic reduction is instrumental to this goal. The committee, created in late 2023, circulated a parent survey and held a mapping workshop for all Novato elementary schools. The group will determine the best strategies for increasing active travel in Novato, including exploring high-priority infrastructure improvements.

Partnerships strengthen the Safe Routes to Schools programs. The adage “it takes a village” definitely applies to changing travel behavior. The systemic approach to Safe Routes to Schools – education, enforcement, engineering, and encouragement – has proven successful time and again. In bringing together all these entities, Safe Routes to Schools and its partners multiply the ability to reach and influence the community.

Fourth Grader Loves Her Prized Bike

Last year, fourth grader Myrioline Toussant heard an announcement over the loudspeaker at her school, Ross Valley Charter, that made her heart race.

 “They said I won a bicycle. I felt so happy,” she said.

 The bicycle, part of a donation to Safe Routes to Schools made by Richmond bike manufacturer Cleary Bikes, was the raffle prize on National Bike to School Day last spring. 

 Myrioline says it has five gears and is black with pink on the wheels. “I love the colors,” she said.

 Recently Myrioline joined the  “bike train” organized once a month by parents at Ross Valley Charter and Manor elementary schools (learn more about the Safe Routes webinar on March 28, from 6:00-7:00 pm – How to Form a Bike Train). Her uncle drops her off at the meet-up spot about one mile away from school. She says that when she is unable to join the bike train, she carpools or takes the bus with friends instead.   

 The bike is the first Myrioline has owned. She learned to ride on her brother’s bike but it had training wheels. “It felt good to ride my bike the first time,” she said.

 “She was the perfect person to win it,” said Page Hersey, director of Ross Valley Charter, who made the announcement over the loudspeaker. “She works so hard and her family are great members of our community. We were thrilled.”

Kent Middle Schoolers Walked for Waffles

Over 200 students from Kent Middle School walked or biked to school on February 16 for the opportunity to win one of 50 spots for a waffle party sponsored by Kent Eco-Action Club, Zero Waste Marin and Safe Routes to Schools. The waffles, topped with whipped cream, were served to the winners during lunch time.

To win, the participants approached the welcome table and pulled out a ticket from a bag containing raffle tickets with either a sad or a happy face. The recipients of the happy face were invited to the waffle party. Five toasters and 12 students working non-stop served up the fun.

Sad face? Students were instructed to go to the Zero Waste Marin table where they could learn about waste reduction and have the opportunity to win water bottles and bamboo cutlery.

Calendar of Spring Task Force Meetings

• Ross Valley – Friday, April 19, 2024 at 10 AM 
• Novato – Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 5 PM
• Kentfield – Thursday April 18, 2024 at 9:30 AM
• Reed – Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 10 AM
• West Marin – Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 5 PM
• San Rafael – Wednesday, May 1 at 5 PM
• Sausalito-Marin City – Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 5 PM
• Larkspur-Corte Madera – Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 4 PM
• Ross – Monday, April 22, 2024 at 10 AM
• Mill Valley – Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 9:30 AM 

Rain or Shine, Education and Encouragement for Marin Kids

Thousands of students across Marin County have braved the rain and, sometimes the cold, to benefit from the cycling and pedestrian safety classes offered by Safe Routes to Schools in 2024. Even many more children participated in the February and March encouragement events, during which they collected incentives and raffle prizes. Both the education and encouragement programs have been received with joy and plenty of smiles.