In honor of her retirement, Safe Routes to Schools founder Wendi Kallins reflects on the origins of the program, its lasting impact, and what’s next.

Safe Routes to Schools: How did you come up with the idea for Safe Routes?

Wendi Kallins: I was first inspired by Dan Burden of Walkable Communities, who created the citizen’s walk audit. I knew right then that it was something I wanted to do. But I wanted to focus on schools while at the same time teaching children about different ways to get around without a car. Later, when my friend Deb Hubsmith and I found out we were on the same page, we brainstormed ways we could educate the kids.

SR2S: How did the idea become reality?

WK: Deb began visiting schools on a homemade solar-powered electric bike, giving presentations about transportation. Around the same time, Anne Seeley of the California Department of Health discovered a program in England and Denmark called Safe Routes to School and helped us secure a $25,000 grant in 1999 to pilot it at Manor Elementary.

In 2000, additional funding followed from Congressman James Oberstar, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Marin Community Foundation, allowing us to expand to eight schools. The results were remarkable: Walking and biking increased by 57%, while the number of children arriving alone by car dropped by 29%.

The 2004 transportation sales tax provided permanent funding for Safe Routes, crossing guards, and infrastructure improvements. From there, the program grew to serve schools throughout Marin County and eventually became a national model.

SR2S: What has this experience meant to you?

WK: This has been the most rewarding experience of my life. I was able to carve out a living doing something I loved, that had meaning, and that aligned with my values. I firmly believe that our transportation system has been at the heart of our environmental crises and learned from experience that once an adult gets used to driving, it is hard to get them to change their habits; but if we could teach the kids before they started driving, we could at least show them there are multiple ways of getting around. 

At the end of this school year, several extraordinary Safe Routes volunteers are stepping away from their roles or elementary schools. Their dedication, creativity, and leadership encouraged an increasing number of students to walk and roll to school. Their impact will be felt for years to come.

Romelia Díaz, Bahia Vista Elementary

Jeff Shankle hasn’t been a volunteer in the traditional sense, but he has made one of the most meaningful contributions a parent can make to Safe Routes: He has modeled something that many others want to imitate.

Six years ago, Jeff began riding to school with his sons, Saul and Theo, in a cargo bike. When his younger son reached second grade they moved to regular bikes. Other children saw how safe and fun it was and began joining them; even the school principal has ridden along. Jeff leads the group each morning and afternoon. Today the Rancho Riders has grown to at least two dozen kids.

Last year Jeff and his sons started awarding milestone badges—50, 100, 200, and 300 miles—to recognize participants. Some riders say they’ve logged more than two thousand miles commuting to school over the years. The Rancho Riders have become a model for community-led school travel in Novato; nearby schools regularly ask how to replicate the program, and several are preparing to start their own groups.

The Rancho Riders, Jeff is leaving them in the very good hands of a group of parents who have been involved with the group for a while.

And what about Jeff’s future? “For middle school the plan is to ride with my sons and others for the first month and then let them go on their own,” he said. “It’s 2.5 miles, across two four‑lane roads, with a 160‑foot hill in the last half mile—so we’ll see.”

Gustavo Rodríguez has coordinated the Walk and Roll program at Ross Valley Charter School for the past four years. He began by partnering with another parent who was already leading the effort, and for the past three years he has taken on a primary leadership role, supported by his wife and a dedicated group of school parents who help run the welcome table. Known for his exceptional dedication, Gustavo consistently brings creativity and enthusiasm to every event he organizes.

He aligns Walk and Roll dates with Manor School to create a larger, more visible, and safer bike train. Twice a year, students enjoy the added excitement of being escorted by firefighters and police officers along the route, just one example of the thoughtful, engaging touches Gustavo brings to the program. Gustavo and his daughter regularly bike to school, and the program provides a meaningful opportunity to inspire more students and families to do the same.

At the end of each ride, parents have the chance to connect, strengthening relationships and building a strong sense of community within the school. Gustavo’s commitment, creativity, and leadership have left a lasting impact, and he will be deeply missed by Safe Routes and the entire Ross Valley elementary school community.

Alma Calderón, Coleman Elementary

Nobody could better describe Alma Calderón’s experience as a parent volunteer than she can.

“As a parent volunteer at Coleman Elementary, I’ve seen firsthand how meaningful the Safe Routes ‘Walk and Roll’ program is for students. My son, Jeffrey, always looked forward to the monthly events, but because we live too far to walk or bike on school days, we parked a little farther away and biked the rest of the way. It became something we both anticipated.

“When I attended elementary school at Bahia Vista, my mother worked so much she didn’t have time to walk us to school, so for me to do this with my son felt special. In third grade, Jeffrey won a Walk and Roll challenge and received a bike customized just for him, which helped him build confidence. With encouragement from his dad, he took off and never looked back.

“After that the PTO president invited me to volunteer. It’s been a joy to see students arrive each morning with their bikes and scooters, bundled up on cold days but full of excitement. Jeffrey loved helping and announcing winners during the morning message.

“As we wrap up the year and prepare for his transition to middle school, this experience feels bittersweet. It has been a meaningful part of our time at Coleman, and something I will truly miss.”

Deena Blas, Pleasant Valley

It did not take Deena Blas a sprinkle of pixie dust to work her magic on the Safe Routes program at Pleasant Valley: she brought her own. With a generous dash of creativity and a whole lot of enthusiasm, she transformed every event into something unmistakably hers.

For three years, her takes on IWalk, National Bike to School Day, and Ruby Bridges Walk and Roll Day sparkled with her signature balloon arches, buzzed with walking school buses and bike trains, and popped with special prizes, not to mention guest appearances from the local police and fire departments. The result? Throngs of excited elementary schoolers, lining up by the hundreds at her welcome table, ready to join the fun.

Her visually vibrant events caught the eye of the Marin Independent Journal twice and her ideas have since inspired fellow parent volunteers to follow her lead.

“You’ve provided me with so much guidance but also let me make it my own. I will always hold this program close to heart,” Deena shared. She added, “In this day and age of technology and convenience, it’s nice to have a program that reminds everyone to embrace something so basic as walking and rolling to school. It costs nothing, builds community, and offers so much benefit to the environment and our health.”