Five out of nine middle schools (55%) in Marin have implemented an e-bike permitting this fall to remove illegal devices from campuses in response to health professionals, law enforcement, and community concerns about student safety. They are Hall, Miller Creek, Del Mar, White Hill, and Mill Valley Middle Schools. Most of the other middle schools currently do not have enough e-devices on campus to warrant a formalized permitting policy.
According to the Marin Health and Human Services dashboard that has tracked all bicycle-related crashes for nearly a year, 10 to 15 year olds are 5 times more likely to be involved in a severe e-wheel crash requiring EMT trips to the hospital than any other age group. The number of total injuries is unknown since parents typically bring their own children to the hospital, but ER doctors have warned that the severity of harm has significantly increased over conventional cycling and is comparable to motorcycle crashes.
Administrators from Middle Schools where parking permits have been instituted have had a mostly positive response from parents.
Of the nine middle school principal responses obtained by Safe Routes to Schools, nearly 100% reported a need for more parent education and recommended a countywide marketing campaign to increase awareness for purchasing legal, age and skill-appropriate e-bikes for students. Many parents are still confused over what is legal or not for their student to ride, mainly with the popular Class 2 brands that are illegal in California (CVC 312.5 (a)). These e-motorcycles exceed the mandated 750 watts and maximum 20 MPH speed limitation to qualify as low-speed e-bikes in our state.
Of the principals contacted, 80% suggest that local law enforcement should institute a diversion program similar to the one conducted in Mill Valley (if cited, students and their parents must attend an e-bike class to waive the citation from the student’s record). At least three of the five administrators with parking permits reported that some students are exploiting the school policy by parking illegal devices off campus.
“Principals and law enforcement have been tremendous allies in our combined effort to keep students safe on legal e-bikes that fit children’s age and skill levels,” said Safe Routes Program Director, Gwen Froh. “Teaching children to be law abiding citizens – for their own safety and the safety of others – has been our goal for 25 years, and we need parent, student and community support to achieve this endeavor.”
The Ross Town Council has taken swift action to improve safety around local schools by lowering speed limits. Soon, both Branson and Ross Schools will see 15 mph speed limit signs within 500 feet of their campuses, ensuring safer conditions for students. It is important to note how fast the decision was made and implemented.
The need for this change came up during a recent Safe Routes to Schools Task Force meeting for the Ross School District, where the issue of speeding cars was raised. Safe Routes to Schools informed the town about a state law, AB 321, passed in 2008, which allows for the reduction of speed limits in school zones from 25 mph to 15 mph. At the very next council meeting, the town approved the change at the suggestion of the Department of Public Works.
Safe Routes to Schools Task Force meetings are held three times a year—in fall, winter, and spring—and bring together school officials, local government representatives, volunteers, neighbors, and other stakeholders to address safety concerns around schools. The top issues receive walk audits from the Safe Routes engineering team, followed by consultations with public works officials to finalize recommendations. While some improvements require funding, as seen with the Ross speeding issue, others simply need decisive action from local authorities. Kudos to Ross for prioritizing student safety.
Find out here when your town’s next Task Force meeting is happening and read notes from previous meetings.
The Safe Routes encouragement program has a new twist this fall. It features a reduced number of events, going from the usual four down to three—one each in September, October, and November, with an optional Walk and Roll Day in December.
“The goal is to relieve parent volunteers from organizing an event in December, when the weather is cold and wet and safety is a concern for many of our schools. This way, they can instead focus on supporting carpools or park-and-walk locations at their schools,” explained Safe Routes to Schools Program Director Gwen Froh.
Introduced during the volunteer luncheon in late August, the initiative was well received by attendees, with many already brainstorming new programs for winter.
The first event of the school year took place on September 11, with a large number of schools and students participating in walking and rolling activities. At the welcome table, many parent volunteers and students added a great photo op by wearing silly hats, which were later raffled off among the event participants.
For International Walk and Roll to School Day (IWalk) on October 2, several schools, including Pleasant Valley, Venetia Valley, Wade Thomas, Hidden Valley and Manor had significant preparations. These schools featured fire truck escorts, while Pleasant Valley students made smoothies with a blender bike, powered by their own pedaling.
November’s Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day is already generating excitement. The majority of the schools have order swag donated from AAA and some of them applied for a grant of up to $1,000 that should be used for education about inclusivity and anti bullying. Schools like MLK, Loma Verde, Venetia Valley, and Pleasant Valley have announced their intention to elevate this growing tradition that celebrates equality and social justice.
The Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) is accepting proposals through December 11 for the latest round of Safe Pathways funding. Now in its fifth cycle, this funding opportunity offers up to $100,000 for small projects and up to $450,000 for larger initiatives, which may include new sidewalks, bike lanes, and other safety enhancements.
The Safe Pathways to Schools Program aims to make biking and walking to school safer for students across Marin County. Since its inception in 2007, the program has supported 80 projects, demonstrating its commitment to improving local infrastructure and student safety.
During the last round of applications in 2019, TAM received 29 applications from 13 agencies. Thirteen out 15 large projects were approved for funding. Just a few examples are the construction of bike lanes on Francisco Blvd. West (shown in picture), pedestrian improvements in Coloma Street, Sausalito, and a pedestrian hybrid beacon at Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and Saunders in San Anselmo. In the same package, a pedestrian-safety improvement project benefitting West Marin School was also included.
The selection process for funding involves collaboration between Safe Routes task forces, the Safe Routes engineering team, and local jurisdictions to identify and prioritize issues affecting student commutes.
Projects are selected based on their performance in improving safety across the county, ensuring that funds are allocated to initiatives that have the most significant impact on making student commutes safer and more accessible.
The TAM Board will approve the recommended projects for funding in February or March, 2025.
Students across the county are invited to participate in the “Buddy Up” contest, promoting walking, biking, carpooling, or taking the bus to school together. From now until November 15th, groups of two or more students can sign up to travel to or from school, with a chance to win $50 awards for five winning groups.
Research shows that healthy habits are more likely to stick when friends encourage each other. Walking or biking in groups not only enhances safety, as drivers are more likely to notice larger groups, but also creates opportunities for friendships and lasting memories. The contest is sponsored by Safe Routes to Schools.
Parents and students are encouraged to share their success stories. Here’s what one parent from Rancho Elementary shared: “We all ride together in the mornings, ringing bells like a bus at each friend’s house along the way. We have several parents, a Rancho flag, and even music! It’s so much fun having a group big enough to take over an entire lane. Nearly every day, people wave to us and cheer. Fun times!”
- Ross – Monday, Jan 13 at 10 AM
- Mill Valley – Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 9:30 AM
- Ross Valley – Friday, Jan. 17 at 10:00 AM
- San Rafael – Wednesday, Jan 22 at 5:00 PM
- Kentfield – Thursday, Jan 23 at 9:30 AM
- Miller Creek – Monday, Jan 27 at 4:00 or 5 PM
- Novato – Wednesday, Jan 29 at 5:00 PM
- Reed – Thursday, Jan. 30 at 10:00 AM
- Larkspur – Corte Madera – Thursday, Jan. 30 at 4:00 PM
- West Marin – Tuesday, Feb 4 at 5:00 PM
- Sausalito/Marin City – Thursday, Feb. 6 at 5:00 PM
Contact Wendi Kallins if you are interested in joining a task force or if you would like a copy of archived task force meeting notes.
Walking or biking to school is more than just a way to fit in some exercise—it also gives kids a healthy boost from sunlight exposure. According to Dr. Stephen I. Katz, former director at the NIH, “You need very little exposure—something like 10 to 15 minutes a day to the backs of your hands, arms, and face—to get enough vitamin D,” which is essential for strong bones and a resilient immune system.
Morning sunlight doesn’t just stop at bone health—it also works wonders for mood and sleep. Sunlight helps boost serotonin, the “feel-good” chemical, making kids feel more positive and focused during the day. It also helps regulate melatonin, the hormone that makes falling asleep easier at night. According to the National Institutes of Health, morning sun exposure helps set kids up for better sleep, which is crucial for their growth and overall well-being.
Dr. Barnett S. Kramer, a cancer prevention expert, adds, “The time to really start sun protective behavior is not when you reach adulthood, but years before.” That means parents should encourage safe sun exposure—getting enough for the benefits but being cautious to avoid long-term skin risks.
So, when the sun is shining, grabbing those bikes or heading out on foot to school isn’t just good for exercise—it’s also a great way to give your kids a sunny start to a healthier day.
By Nick Pappas*
San Anselmo neighbors Jason Cardillo and Amanda Schwartz have been “bikepooling” their kids to Wade Thomas Elementary for years. Over time, they’ve seen a consistent rise in the number of bike families parents on cargo bikes, families riding together, and, as they get older, kids traveling solo and with friends.
“We’re now at the point where we have more parents dropping off kids from bikes than we do from cars at the back of school,” Jason said.
Jason credits San Anselmo’s dense traffic and the town’s narrow streets for making driving less desirable. “It’s faster to ride a bike,” he said. Electric cargo bikes also make moving kids and backpacks easier and more fun.
“It just snowballs. The more mainstream it is, the more people see others doing it, the more participation we get,” he said.
With the surge in popularity, Wade Thomas parents are organizing to coordinate and talk about ways to make the ride safer and more fun for everyone. Jason and Amanda are part of a neighborhood effort to form a bike train a daily meetup for families and kids to ride together safely along Wade Thomas’s recommended safe routes to school.
While it’s still in the early stages, parents are optimistic that riding together will be an increasingly popular option for parents and kids, will be safer and more fun, and can reduce traffic risk on the school route.
“At the end of the day, it’s just the best way to get to school. They may not always jump out of bed ready to bike, but the moment feet are on pedals everyone’s having a great time,” said Nick Pappas, one of the parents helping organize. “Bike time with friends, fresh air, and light exercise -it’s a mile of smiles.”
Even though the designated school route is on backstreets, it’s still a popular route for car traffic looking for a shortcut around downtown, as well as parents and teens driving to neighboring schools. The route’s narrow streets and blind curves can present conflict risk with oncoming drivers.
“Our kids have been doing a great job learning how to be safe, courteous riders but there’s not much we can do about drivers who think the school route is the place to make up time when they’re running late,” Nick said. “Riding safely, together with parents and friends is a great way to reduce conflict risk.”
Jason, who has been the Wade Thomas parent volunteer for years, will be leaving the role behind with optimism when his son graduates this year. “It’s been amazing to see the growing enthusiasm on our school route. We’re reducing traffic, teaching kids confidence and independence, and helping the environment with great friends and memories along the way.”
*Nick Pappas is the father of a Wade Thomas student and leader of the bike train.
From September 23 through the end of November 15, you will again see bright and colorful banners and lawn signs popping up all over Marin asking people to keep their “Eyes Up” and be alert. These signs will be asking drivers to slow down, watch when turning and look for pedestrians in the crosswalk; bicyclists to yield to pedestrians and to follow the rules of the road; and those walking to pay attention when crossing the street.
This is the most important lesson to keep your kids and yourself safe. People have so many distractions that turn our attention away from the important task of traveling safely, but if everyone kept themselves alert, many tragedies could be avoided.
The catch phrase to remind ourselves to pay attention is Eyes Up. It’s a simple way to remember that you’re driving right now, or walking, or biking.
These messages will also show up in your social media feeds, and you can find them at www.streetsmartsmarin.org. Please share with your friends, family and co-workers.
To get a free lawn sign for your yard, contact your local municipality. There is a tab on the www.streetsmartsmarin.org website with this information.
The Eyes Up, Marin campaign is part of the Street Smarts Program and Safe Routes to Schools, locally funded programs of the Transportation Authority of Marin.
