The URL can be used to link to this page

3-13-15 PA Safe RoutesSafe Routes to School Palo Alto PartnershipMarch 2015 Driving TrendsThirty years ago over 66% of America’s children walked or biked to school. Today,13-17% walk and bike to school.(US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) 010203040506070US 30 Years Ago US Today Why We DriveNational Trends:-Increase in multiple car families-Cultural change/habit-Growth in dual career and single parent families-Increased traffic volumes on school routes Local Factors:Changes in Palo Alto 1975-1995 School closures, magnet schools, elimination of school busing = longer school commute for many families, across busy roadsSchools not designed for parent drop-offEnrollment growth 1990+ intensifies “bell time surges” Auto Reliance Affects ChildrenFreedom/Self-RelianceLearning/Practice Safety SkillsFitness/HealthReadiness to Learn In SchoolEnvironmental StewardshipTime for ConnectionWith Family, Friends, Community First: Education & EvaluationEducation 1991-94: PAUSD shifting 6thgraders to middle school while eliminating busing! PTA traffic safety reps got attention of elected officials Bicycling Lifeskills in 3rdgrade, new 5th+ 6th Studying existing conditions,1993-98: PTA spearheaded a subcommittee on school congestion, safety; classroom tallies, parent survey Engineering study: Redesign 4 school sites for safe bike and ped access + managing parent drop offCity’s School Commute Safety Study begins 1996: from complaint response to comprehensive review Safe Routes to School 1.0City/SchoolTraffic Safety Committee takes on role of Safe Routes to School local task forceCSTSC to review school closures, advise PAUSD and CPA on school traffic safetyKey: 7 members from City (PAPD, Transportation), PAUSD (admin, school principal), PTA (Elementary, Middle, High) at same table monthly 1993+ : PTA Traffic Safety Representatives in each school, working with principals, parent volsPTA Advocacy for Safer School Commutes (not yet called SRTS) at CSTSC, City Council, BOE Palo Alto Schools Reverse US Trend By 2006, volunteer efforts showed results in elementary schools44% PAUSD elementary school children usually walk, bike, or scooter to school (October)10% bus or carpool46% usually driven to school in single family car-- down from 55%010203040506070US 30 YearsAgoUS Today PAUSD Today Safe Routes to School Partnership between City, PTA & PAUSD 2006+ Create and sustain a city/school/community partnership (5 E’s):to reduce risk to students en route to and from school to encourage more families to use alternatives to solo driving more often 5 E’s: Education – In Class, K-6Teach lifelong traffic safety skills“Safe Moves” K-2 Pedestrian Safety 3rd Grade Bicycling Lifeskills, in class plus on-bike 5thGrade Traffic Safety “Refresher” 6thGrade “Drive Your Bike” Assemblies “Bringing Up Bicyclists” classes Middle School Bike SkillsPTA newsletter messages & e-newsTraffic Safety information in printed handbooks & on school web sites Web site for Palo Alto PTA Safe Routes to School : www.saferoutes.paloaltopta.org 5 E’s: EducationInclude parents in education process! City & PAUSD create operational & physical improvements to school commute infrastructure.City prioritizes safety on school commute routes PAUSD responsible for on-site & access improvements Critical role for CSTSC5 E’s: Engineering 5 E’s: EngineeringCrosswalks, striping, signs Bike and pedestrian paths, bike racksTraffic calming, “road diets”, complete streetsPAUSD: Facilities Planning (school site bike/ped access and safety) Encourage more families to choose to walk, bike and share the ride more often 5 E’s: Encouragement Encourage “Think Outside the Car”Back-to-School eventsWalk & Roll in OctoberSpring Kick-off events Walk & Roll WednesdaysSchoolpool MatchingRainy Day Carpool PromotionsPedaling for Prizes (H.S.)Transit promotion (City Shuttles, VTA)Promote the benefits: healthy, green, safer, FUN Partner with PAPD to prioritize enforcement on school commute routes29 Adult Crossing Guards citywideJuvenile Diversion Class for bike ticketsSpeed Trailer (available on school request) 5 E’s: Enforcement PAUSD Neighborhood Schools Increased walking and biking minimized impact of solo drivers on school commute routesOpportunity: increase carpooling and bus ridershipPAUSD Neighborhood Schools: Enrollment & How Get to School 1994-2009145017109751933050010001500200025003000350040004500Spring 1994 Fall 2000Fall 2005Fall 2009Family CarWalk, Bike, SkateCarpool, Bus, OtherDecrease PAUSD Middle School Bike Counts, 1985-20130100200300400500600700800Jordan581420370273275290333358364361443495527546624736610JLS298537290320290191241185200271280319351463456490512533Terman150151190167210184199236253263spr 1985fall 198519911993199720002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013 Safe Routes to School 2.0 New Problems – New SolutionsGrowth in secondary enrollment New bus and shuttle options; now cooler than being driven for those who can’t bike or walk“Critical Mass” and pack riding on key routes to middle & high schoolsNew education formats, PSAs, online resources Safe Routes to School 2.0Secure, ample bike parking professionally designed for efficient & convenient accessAvoid toaster/comb racks Yes: Inverted U’s --baskets, lock to frame! Walk & Roll Maps 2012-14 17 PAUSD schools: Suggested walking and biking routesCampus access points, crossing guard locationsBike parking locationsSafety tips on back Safe Routes to School 2.0 Complete streets + Bike Boulevard expansion Updating our education program, adding afterschool bike repair and on-bike training Share the Road Safely – bicyclists, walkers, drivers Web outreach to community (coming soon!)In magnet elementary schools: solo driving still 60%, congested routes/ 2+ milesPilot Schoolpool program (carpool matching, bikepool, walkpool) Needs a champion at each site! Palo AltoSafe Routes to SchoolEducationEnforcementEncouragementEngineeringEvaluation EvolveAdvocacy“Democracy is not a spectator sport.” Gunn High School Maintaining MomentumOctober 9, 2014M Safe Routes to SchoolAnnual Back-to-School Kick-offInformationUpdated Gunn’s Transportation web page with new safety and route information, including a new Walk & Roll map and safety tips provided by City of Palo Alto.http://gunn.pausd.org/transportationNew Miranda drop-off, Bol Park bike path connection and new bike parking publicity: enews, BTS inserts, Gunn web site, and local media. Free, mobile, hands-on repair clinics.http://www.bayareabikemobile.org Maintaining MomentumMonthly Pedaling for Prizes (P4P) events. PAUSD High School Bike Counts, 1985-20130100200300400500600700800900Gunn284180230166240252308447478600633671679750836Paly55330022016016020023428927337743352058274178775880519851993199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013 Bicycle Boulevard NetworkEngaging Student StakeholdersUpcoming meeting schedule to be publicized via PTA enews. Relevant to Gunn commuters:Barron ParkPark Blvd./Stanford/WilkieMaybellMidtown Connector (MataderoTrail)Ross, Greer, Moreno & AmarilloCharleston/Arastradero CorridorOpportunity to comment online here:http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/depts/pln/transit/bicycling/default.asp