The Streets Alive! Parks Alive! event in Belmont was a wonderful success, engaging over 150 participants. At Barrett Community Center, we filled the blacktop and grass with bike-centric fun. Upon entering, participants were welcome to get their bikes checked out by two well versed bicycle mechanics. After ensuring their bikes were ready to ride, kids had the chance to complete a safety skills rodeos, covering important skills like hand turn signals.
Alternative transportation proved to be an especially satisfying experience last Thursday. In the 45 miles I traveled for work, a car was not needed for any part of the trip. With the accessibility of the train and the power of my bicycle, I had a seamless, relaxing, traffic-free day of travel.
Each month, Redwood Shores Elementary hosts a themed Walk N' Roll day. For December, the theme was "Winter Walk." Just as the name suggests, the winter weather came along for the walk offering rainy skies. Though the rain did fall, the sun continued to shine. And what did this bring? A DOUBLE RAINBOW! Kids were bowing down to the rainbow in excitement; it was quite the sight.
On this crisp December morning, the Santa Clara Safe Routes to School team led a Walking School Bus for Briarwood Elementary School-the theme was an "Umbrella Walk." The sun may have been out, but each breath of air condensed into a tiny, temporary cloud of white. Even with the cool temperatures, Briarwood Elementary students still participated in our walk and bike to school day.
Redwood Shores Elementary is the ideal school for walking and biking safely. The school is located in a pancake flat community surrounded by an abundance of bike paths separated from the main road. They even have a bike path that winds right into campus!
Biomimicry is no new concept. Through examining nature's systems and processes, people have been able to develop a number of solutions to human problems. The natural world offers an array of design schemes that can be emulated in our man-made world. Specifically, our car centric transportation network can be reworked to be more efficient and safer.
I generally dislike the rainy introduction to winter, a preview of what the next few months will bring. However, I am welcoming the change of season this year. After extreme heat, the rain is a pleasant change. But with rain and colder temperatures, people often change their daily commute, either through their attire or by driving more often.
In addition to working in the Santa Clara School District, the Safe Routes to School team has made their way north to the Belmont/Redwood Shores district.
These schools have made impressive efforts to encourage more walking and biking. At Cipriani Elementary, the school made a designated space to store bikes since so many students brought their bike to the rodeo. The walls at Cipriani were also decorated with student artwork representing International Walk to School Day.
On October 3, 2012, over 40 countries participated in International Walk to School Day. Locally, Santa Clara Safe Routes to School worked with five schools in an effort to reduce traffic congestion, bring awareness to walkable communities, and start an active lifestyle by walking or biking to school. Students were encouraged to use active transportation to get to school by walking, riding a bicycle, or using a scooter. Once at school, they were offered rewards to recognize their positive efforts.
On Friday evening, September 28th, our Santa Clara Safe Routes to School team arrived at Montague Elementary School with the car packed tight. We had a large box of helmets, supplies to put on a "Snail Race," a "Map My Route" table, and a picture board for the kids to put their faces through, transforming them into a sun riding a bicycle. Calmar Bicycles helped out too, volunteering to assist with basic tune-ups for the kids' bikes.
