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Fifth-graders present walk audit on biking and walking safety; City proclaims Ruby Bridges Day and honors Kepler's 70th
Summary
Encino Elementary fifth-graders presented a student-led Community Science walk audit documenting bike-lane visibility, narrow lanes, and missing sidewalks; City Council praised students, adopted proclamations for Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day and Native American Heritage Month, and recognized Kepler's 70th anniversary.
At the Nov. 4 Menlo Park City Council meeting, Encino Elementary fifth-graders and their teachers presented findings from a Community Science Leadership Academy walk audit documenting safety issues on Middlefield Road and nearby streets.
Assistant Principal Gina Watkins and partners from the San Mateo County Office of Education and Stanford's Our Voice initiative introduced the student teams, who reported that 34 students completed the August 29 data collection walks and collectively produced 123 photos, 74 audio comments and 50 text comments describing hazards and opportunities for improvement.
Students identified problems including narrow or faded bike lanes, obstructions in bike lanes, missing or uneven sidewalks, and limited separation between walking paths and bike lanes. Proposed solutions included widening and brightening bike lanes, installing reflective delineators or planter boxes to protect bikers, resurfacing or compacting walking paths (avoiding full concrete to preserve nature), and planting low hedges or soft shrubs as buffers.
"I bike to school with my dad on Middlefield Road every day...cars tend to veer into the bike lane and speed up and go really fast, and that makes me feel scared," said student Olivia during the presentation.
Councilmembers thanked the students and their mentors for rigorous, community-focused work. Councilmember Jeff Schmidt called the project "the real work of government," and encouraged the students to continue presenting their ideas at city goal-setting sessions.
The Council also approved proclamations recognizing Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day and Native American Heritage Month and accepted remarks from Teresa Velez-Kelly (San Mateo County Office of Education) and Dr. Jonathan Cordero (virtual), who accepted the Native American proclamation on behalf of the Ramaytush Ohlone community. Kepler's Books was honored for its 70th anniversary; Heather Burchall accepted the proclamation and spoke about Kepler's role as a local cultural and civic institution.
The presentation and proclamations were placed on the record; Council and staff indicated they would review the students' specific recommendations for possible inclusion in walk-and-bike safety planning.
