safe routes logoSafe Routes to Schools

E-Newsletter       October 2015
 
In This Issue
iWalk Honors Deb Hubsmith
Bahia Vista Packs Iwalk
Dignitaries Turn Out for iWalk
Flashing Beacons Protect Pedestrians
Miller Creek Green Sneaker Challenge
Bike Ride and Dedication for Deb Hubsmith  
Come and ride with us October 24 to the Cal Park Tunnel.  Rides start at 10 am from Fairfax, Mill Valley and Civic Center.  Dedication at 11 am  Read more
Free Bike Racks     
BAAQMD is again offering vouchers for Bike Racks.  Read More
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Check out this great Video  

from a Kent Student on International Walk to School Day

 

 

Record Turn Out for iWalk

Preschoolers Cheer iWalk Bicyclists
Students from around Marin ditched the cars and walked, biked and scooted to school on International Walk to School Day on October 7. This year's iWalk was dedicated to Deb Hubsmith, the co-founder of SR2S who lost a two-year battle to acute Leukemia on August 18.

Over 100 Manor and Cascade Canyon students and their families were escorted to school by the Ross Valley police and fire department on this special iWalk and Roll Day in Fairfax. Chris Coffey and his 12- year-old beagle, Lillie Opal, led the crowd with a picture of Deb on the back of his 3-wheeled bike. Kids were treated to granola parfaits while listening to student poems, a special tribute made by co-founder and friend, Wendi Kallins, to honor Deb's "dream big" actions. Read the story in the IJ.

Bahia Vista Whole School Participates in iWalk

Nearly the entire Bahia Vista Elementary School in San Rafael walked to school for iWalk. Huge thanks to the Marin Health Department, the San Rafael Police, the administration of Bahia Vista Elementary, and especially to all the wonderful parent volunteers who made this event successful!

 Dignitaries Turn Out for iWalk

Other schools that enjoyed a fire escort included Coleman Elementary School in San Rafael and Tam Valley in Mill Valley. The latter was also accompanied by Supervisor Kate Sears. A couple hundred students walked or biked at Sinaloa Middle School. Supervisor Damon Connelly joined Craig Tackaberry, Assistant Director to County Public Works, to hand out treats at Miller Creek Middle School where a record number of students completed their Green Sneaker Challenge (see below).
 
"Matt McMahon, Tam Valley parent and Tam Valley Community Service District Director, and I greeted happy Tam Valley Elementary students who had just walked, biked or rolled to school. Be a part of the congestion solution; ask your Safe Routes Team Leaders about ongoing activities and ways to jump into the Safe Routes habit."  Supervisor Kate Sears
Flashing Beacons Protect Pedestrians          

You've seen them, they are rectangular beacons placed under yellow pedestrian warning signs. When activated, a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) lights up with an irregular flash pattern and alerts oncoming motorists to a pedestrian waiting to cross a crosswalk.

RRFBs increase the number of vehicles that yield to pedestrians at uncontrolled crosswalks, which is especially desired along school routes, where small children may not be easily seen by motorists. Some variations to the RRFB have a school warning sign instead of a pedestrian sign or LED lights embedded into the sign.

RRFBs are popping up all over Marin County. One recent installation is at Tiburon Boulevard at Ned's Way in Tiburon, which was funded by Safe Pathways funds. Also funded by Safe Pathways, the RRFB at Sir Francis Drake Boulevard at Taylor Road in Fairfax is under design. Another RRFB at Paradise Drive and Golden Hind, funded by the Town of Corte Madera, was also installed. To see a list of other RRFBs funded by the Safe Pathways Campaign, visit Safe Routes to Schools Website
 
Keep an eye out for the beacons - and remember to yield to pedestrians!
Library to Library Family Bike Ride  
                           
The first ever Library Family Bike Tour had families biking from Fairfax Library to San Anselmo Library and back. Mid-ride we stopped at a well stocked decorating station that added some sweet accessories to our rides and helmets. The group ride, co-sponsored by both the Fairfax and San Anselmo Friends of the Library, was a huge hit. Librarians, families, and bike instructors are already looking forward to the next library to library tour!
  
Miller Creek Hosts the Green Sneaker Challenge
We did not know whether or not middle school students would want to advertise that they were participating in a bike/walk/bus challenge - but surprisingly, they proudly displayed their Green Sneaker Challenge Cards on their backpacks for a month.  The contest was held on four Wednesdays, ending on International Walk to School Day. The contest was hugely successful with an increase in walking and biking to 40% during the event.

Students arrived at school to the DJ club playing popular music on a loud, rockin' sound system. A group of "green monitors" stamped participants' Green Sneaker cards with a stamp in the shape of a sneaker. Four stamps entered them into a raffle to win cool prizes.  The homeroom with the most participants won an ice cream party provided by a generous donation of Silbermann's Ice Cream. Miller Creek's goal is to have 50% of the student population walking or biking to school on any one day.