Back to school had a very different look this year due to COVID-19. However, as San Mateo County moved to the second stage (Red Tier) of the state’s four-tiered, color-coded reopening system on September 22, the Menlo Park Safe Routes to School team anticipates the reopening of schools this fall. We continue our efforts to support families walking and biking in Menlo Park. 

The number of families walking and rolling in Menlo Park streets has increased since the shelter-in-place order in March, and education around bicycle and pedestrian safety is more important than ever. 

The Menlo Park Safe Routes to School Program fall priorities include:

• Promoting alternative walking and biking routes to school bus routes
• Promoting and organizing citywide events that would allow for both remote and in-person participation (e.g., Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day) 
• Supporting the school districts with encouraging families walking and biking to school
• Implementing the Menlo Park Pedestrian Safety Curriculum, in collaboration with schools and school districts

For more guidance on how to implement safe routes to school activities at your school, check Back to School 2020: Recommendations for Safe Routes to School Programming developed by the Safe Routes to School National Partnership.