California: Marin County

Marin County Safe Routes to Schools

Lead Implementers:

City of San Rafael, representing the members of the Marin Congestion Management Agency

Partners:

Marin County Bicycle Coalition (project implementation), Nelson Nygaard (project management) and David Parisi & Assoc. (engineering consultant)

Location:

Marin County,  California

Contact Info:

Wendi Kallins
Project Coordinator
Safe Routes to School

P.O. Box 201
Forest Knolls, CA 94933
(415)488-4101
wkallins@igc.org

Web Address:

www.saferoutestoschools.org

Project Focus:

Safe Routes to Schools is a grassroots program that is getting more children walking and bicycling to school by combining education, community organizing, and engineering improvements.  The program results in decreased traffic congestion, a cleaner environment, and improved health for individuals. Safe Routes to School is creating a new culture of walking and biking.

Summary:

Marin Safe Routes to Schools organizes School Safe Routes Teams and Community-wide Task Forces to comprehensively create a safer environment that encourages walking and biking to school and makes it safer.  The Safe Routes Teams are made up of school parents along with principals, teachers, neighbors and children who develop events such as monthly or weekly Walk and Bike to School days, contests like our Frequent Rider Mile Contest, and promotes the program in school newsletters using materials provided by the program.

Engineering, Planning and Design Strategy:

Parents and neighbors map the routes to schools, identify problem areas and, with the help of our engineering consultant, develop recommendations.  Safe Routes Task Forces work together with the local public works and law enforcement staff to develop a Safe Routes improvement plan and to implement the plan by applying for funding and making easy improvements like crosswalks and signage.

Enforcement Strategy:

Work together with local law enforcement to provide additional support on special event days and to develop and implement a long-term strategy for improving enforcement around schools.

Educational Focus:

Children are taught bicycle and pedestrian safety in the classroom as well as information on health and the environment.   They play games such as the Bicycle Safety Quiz Show and participate in Bicycle Safety Rodeos.  Driver’s education  and Share the Road campaigns are designed and launched by the Community Task Forces.

Built/Unbuilt-Urban/Suburban:

Built: suburban

Status:

The program is currently offered county-wide, with 14 schools currently participating, 5 more who have applied for the program, and another school district including 10-15 schools pending.

Budget:

For the 2000-2001 school year, the budget was $100,000. For the 2001-2002 school year, the budget is $140,000; for the 2002-2003 school year, the budget will be $330,000.

Funding Source:

Federal Transportation Enhancements funds provided through the Marin Congestion Management Agency, Marin Community Foundation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (seed money, 200-2001), the Fred Gellert Foundation, The California Office of Traffic and Safety, The Miller Family Foundation, the Marin Independent Journal, the Schow Foundation, and the California Department of Health Services.