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Safe Routes to School outlines audits, events and e‑bike education for Santa Rosa students
Summary
A Sonoma Safe Routes to School presenter updated the board on outreach, audits, and a new e‑bicycle education resource page, and trustees asked about expansion to high schools and enforcement challenges.
A Sonoma Safe Routes to School representative presented program highlights, audit findings and new educational resources during the Santa Rosa City Schools Board meeting on Aug. 13.
Program reach and events: The presenter said the program reached thousands last year: more than 800 students participated in community workshops, the countywide program served nearly 9,000 students and approximately 4,500 students were served in the city of Santa Rosa. The program’s three most widely attended events are International Walk to School Day (Oct. 8), Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day and Bike to School Day in May; schools may register regardless of prior enrollment.
Walking school buses and bike trains: The presenter said roughly 15 Santa Rosa schools now host walking school buses or bike trains during walk/roll events, and a sixth‑grade class at Santa Rosa French Charter organized six bike trains that were featured in the Press Democrat. The presenter described walking/bike meet‑up drop locations as a strategy to reduce congestion at school drop‑off zones.
Audits and engineering improvements: Staff reported school‑site audits conducted with city staff, site administrators and parents are posted online and that audits have led to more than $100,000 in engineering improvements over the 2023–25 period. The city is said to be pursuing roughly $250,000 in TDA (Transportation Development Act) grant funding to implement larger school infrastructure projects identified by audits.
E‑bikes and education: Presenter highlighted a new e‑bicycle education web page (sonomasaferoutes.org) with flyers, a middle‑school module in development, a parking policy template, and a signature‑letter template for local law enforcement. Staff recommended district consideration of policies to reduce risks associated with class 2 e‑bikes, including those that can be easily modified to exceed legal speed limits. Trustees expressed concern about enforcement and the availability of class 2 e‑bikes online.
Expansion and collaboration: Trustees asked whether the program is reaching high schools and county‑jurisdiction sites. Staff said the program to date has focused on K–8 and that the city of Santa Rosa’s recent staffing (two planners) has improved collaboration on infrastructure. The presenter said Safe Routes will pivot to support junior/senior high teams if sites enroll and form school teams; principals must form site teams for the program to provide targeted support.
Follow up and resources: Audit reports and travel plans are publicly available on the Safe Routes website. Staff invited trustees and community members to participate in future audits and noted some audits and engineering work depend on grant funding. The presenter encouraged principals and PE teachers to use the program’s materials and sign up for presentations and modules aimed at middle schoolers.
Trustees thanked staff and asked for continued collaboration with city and county partners to address enforcement, drop‑off congestion and transit access for students traveling longer distances.
