SR2S Dashboard
Every semester, student travel surveys are conducted across Marin County to better understand how students commute to school. These results are now accessible through the new Marin County Safe Routes to Schools Dashboard, an interactive online tool that displays travel mode trends at participating schools. Use the link, click the image above, or visit the dashboard on the Resources page to see school travel trends starting in Fall 2024.
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Ruby Bridges Pays
Virtual Visit to Marin School
Ruby Bridges, the trailblazing civil rights icon and children’s book author, virtually visited Lucas Valley Elementary on March 28, appearing on a giant screen in the school’s auditorium. Hundreds of excited students eagerly listened as she shared her story and answered their questions. The school earned this rare opportunity by winning a national raffle sponsored by AAA, open to elementary schools across the country.
Safe Routes to Schools first connected Marin elementary students with Bridges’ legacy in 2021 by launching the inaugural Ruby Bridges Walk and Roll to School Day at Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy with almost 100% participation.
Since then, the November event has grown to include 35 elementary schools across Marin County. The initiative honors Bridges’ courageous walk to school at just six years old, when she faced hostile crowds daily as the first African American child to integrate an all-white elementary school in the South. Her bravery played a pivotal role in the desegregation of schools in the early 1960s—a legacy that continues to inspire students today.
>During the conversation, Bridges reflected on her experiences walking to school under the protection of federal marshals. “I wasn’t scared because my parents didn’t tell me what was happening,” she explained. “When I saw all the people out there, I thought it was a holiday, like Mardi Gras. I didn’t know they were all out there for me.”
Despite the challenges, Bridges fondly recalled her first year at the formerly all-white William Frantz Elementary. “My teacher, Mrs. Henry, made it so fun. I never missed a day,” she said. “She’s still alive, and she’s still my best friend.”
However, she also shared the loneliness of not having classmates. Because of violent threats—including the risk of poisoning—she had to eat lunch at her desk instead of in the cafeteria. Longing to meet other children, she began throwing away her homemade sandwiches, hoping the school would eventually allow her to eat with the other students. “The school thought I was afraid of being poisoned,” she said. “But that wasn’t true. I just wanted to make new friends.”
Bridges left the students with a powerful message: “You can make a difference by meeting friends,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what people look like, right?”
At the end of the assembly, school staff gave Bridges a virtual tour of the auditorium, showcasing student artwork inspired by her historic walk and a large, handcrafted sign reading Welcome Ruby Bridges.
“That was a long assembly but a very meaningful one,” Principal Will Anderson told the students. “When you’re older, you’re going to look back and say, ‘Wow, I talked to Ruby Bridges.’”
Spring into action with these fun-filled events to build healthy habits for life.
Live too far? Park and Walk partway to school to win prizes. Every bit helps remove traffic congestion and make streets safer.
Spring Adventure Challenge
What it is: The Adventure Challenge encourages elementary children to make green travel a weekly habit. Participating children pick up their Adventure Card from volunteers at the welcome table on April 16. For the next two event days, April 23 and 30, children who walk, roll, carpool or ride the bus will receive stickers at the welcome table to add to their card. On the last day, May 7, students return their completed card to the parent volunteer at the welcome table for a chance to win a raffle prize.
National Bike to School Day – May 7
Bike Hero Award 2025
A Bike Hero is a GREAT “ROLL” MODEL!
Each Spring, parents, administrators, teachers and friends are invited to nominate a student Bike Hero. A Bike Hero is any student who gets up early to ride regularly, inspires others to bike, and obeys all rules of the road. Two Marin County elementary and middle school students are selected to win a $50.00 gift card to a store of choice.
Nominate your 2025 Bike Hero: HERE.
Be E-Bike Safe
Safety is our first priority for students.Know the laws and recommendations
before putting kids on e-wheels: HERE
Guidelines to stay safe while riding
e-bikes and what to know when buying
one for your child.
Download this important information from Transportation Authority of Marin.
What Parents Should Know
Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) administers the Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) Program, which works to relieve traffic congestion around schools by promoting alternatives to commuting to school, such as walking, biking, taking the bus and carpooling.
In addition, the program helps improve safety, promote a healthy lifestyle for youth and enhance the sense of community in neighborhoods.
It does this through classroom education, special events, infrastructure improvements, a crossing guard program, and other strategies.
The SR2S program has been in operation since 2000 and involves almost 60 schools and more than 26,500 students.
VETTED BY INDUSTRY LAWYERS
(March 12, 2024)
Any throttle motor that can be switched to go speeds beyond 20 mph on motor power alone, is considered “out of class” – it is not an e-bike, it is a motor vehicle and requires a student to be at least 16 years old with a driver’s license and registration. (Same as e-scooters)
Under the guidance of our insurers and legal counsel, there are many brands (e.g. Super73, Surron) that fall into the “out-of-class” category that can no longer be accepted in classes.
A bill pending in CA legislature would address “multiple mode” products, not leaving it up to the consumers to interpret. Other bills are pending to address a minimum age requirement of 16 for Class 2.
Find your Suggested Route Map!
Click graphic above to find Route Maps by School District.