Parents advocate for safer streets in Menlo Park

Published on December 07, 2022

On Oct. 26, the Menlo Park Safe Routes to School Program held a workshop for caregivers and other community members who would like to get involved in Safe Routes to School. Nine participants attended the meeting to share their goals, ideas and concerns regarding children’s safety. Those attended were from Encinal Elementary, Laurel Elementary, Las Lomitas Elementary and Hillview Middle School.

Information on the Menlo Park Safe Routes to School program was presented and what resources are available to the school administrators and caregivers who would like to plan events at their school. Local Safe Routes to School parent champions were present to exchange information about their roles and share their own experience.

Most of the workshop participants mentioned that they are interested in promoting walking and biking at their school and that they would like to see the streets near the schools safer and more comfortable for pedestrians and bicyclists. Many parents came with the desire to learn more about advocating for better pedestrian and bicyclist infrastructure in Menlo Park streets, but also in Atherton and unincorporated areas where children travel to and from school. In addition to advocacy, enforcement, and encouragement and education events, initiatives such as Walk-n-Wheel Wednesdays, bike rodeos and fleet on the streets were discussed.

The participants expressed the desire to meet again to keep connected with Safe Routes to School leads from other schools and collaborate on Safe Routes to School activities.

For more information email Safe Routes to School coordinator.