Even Safer Routes to Every Neighborhood School Coming in 2016

The past year was a big one for the SF Safe Routes to School partnership, and we’re excited for what’s on the way in 2016.

28 Shared Schoolyards Open Every Weekend

There will finally be a place for learning to ride a bike in every San Francisco neighborhood. The Shared Schoolyard Project now opens the playgrounds of 28 public schools every Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This partnership between the City and the San Francisco Unified School District envisions a community place for children and families to play and gather within walking distance of every child in San Francisco. Towards that goal, organizers aim to expand the program to 80 schools over the next two years. Learn more and view upcoming events at a schoolyard near you here.

New Walk & Roll to School Hub: Excelsior Playground

Families with children attending Excelsior schools can now take part in weekly “walking school buses.” On Tuesday, Dec. 8, community members started a weekly Walk & Roll Hub at the Excelsior Playground (Madrid Street between Russia and Persia). Community hosts and SF Safe Routes to School staff welcome students and caregivers between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m., when when four walking buses set off to SF Community School, Cleveland Elementary, Monroe Elementary and Denman Middle School.

The tradition continues every Tuesday morning, and the families taking part would love for you to join them. Every family attending any school within biking or walking distance of Excelsior Playground is welcome to meet their neighbors and have a cup of coffee, while the kids have a snack and play with their friends, thanks to the Safe Routes to School partnership and a grant from the Excelsior Collaborative. Excelsior families meet up again on Jan. 5 — join us!

2015 Walk & Roll to School Day Sets a New SF Record

An estimated 16,000 students at 93 schools took part in San Francisco’s biggest Walk & Roll to School Day yet on Oct. 7, 2015. Congratulations to our SF Safe Routes to School partner Walk SF for leading this event promoting all active forms of transportation to and from school. Looking forward to the next big event? Save the date: Bike & Roll to School Week is April 18-22, 2016. You will be able to sign up your school to participate in early 2016.

Help Your School Encourage Safe Routes in 2016

Many of the 35 host schools for SF Safe Routes to Schools have regular walking school buses, bike trains or other events that celebrate families commuting car-free. Contact your school office for more information.

Even if you live too far from school to bike, or are otherwise incapable, there are ways your family can support safer streets around your school. Safe Routes to School resources can help you organize carpools and park-and-walk options as well as walk- and bike-encouragement activities. Safe Routes schools will also host practice bike trains and weekend YBike rodeos in 2016 that are open to everyone in the community. Those and more bike education events will be listed at sfbike.org/family.

Become a member and you'll improve your commute and get discounts at shops across the city.