City of Gilroy Gilroy BPAC Measure B Safe Routes to School Bicycle-Pedestrian Education & Encouragement Work Plan Rationale: According to the League of American Bicyclists, in 2001 more than 6 out of every 7 trips by American youth ages 5 to 15 were by biking or walking, but by 2017 less than 1 out of every 3 trips were by biking or walking. According to the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, fifty years ago nearly half of students walked or biked to school, but as of ten years ago only one in eight students walked or biked to school. There has been a corresponding increase in family vehicle usage. Meanwhile childhood obesity rates have doubled and adolescent obesity rates have tripled nationally with Gilroy having the highest obesity rates in the county. Walking and biking to school builds community and family relationships daily, increases daily physical activity, improves mental and physical health, increases readiness to learn, reduces traffic congestion around schools, reduces pollution around schools, and increases attitudes that school is fun. Furthermore, according to the CDC, motor vehicle traffic related injuries are the leading cause of death among US children age 0-19. The highest death rates were among occupants of motor vehicles in traffic with a substantial number of pedestrian and cyclist deaths occurring as well. Gilroy's rates of motor vehicle deaths among youth are higher than other communities in our county. We need robust and comprehensive SRTS programming to address the situations described above. In a study of neighborhoods that began SRTS programming, the annual rate of pedestrian injury decreased 33% among school-aged children (5- to 19-year-olds) and 14% in other age groups. Similarly, the annual rate of school-aged pedestrian injury during school-travel hours decreased 44%. Strengths to leverage: Multi-million dollar grants funded a comprehensive SRTS program at all GUSD elementary and middle schools over the past 3-5 years. All elementary and middle schools have had a SRTS site assessment and developed a SRTS plan. The Specialized Outride PE Bike Program is in place or will be in place at all 3 Gilroy Middle Schools. A high school community service SRTS leadership team is in place at GHS and is coordinating with ASMS. Elementary and middle schools have route maps. A SRTS Taskforce and Action Plan was spearheaded by Gilroy BPAC with Gilroy BPAC currently taking the leadership role in collaboration between enforcement officers, engineers, school district administration & leadership, parents, students, non-profit support agencies, community organizations, and service providers. In most cities in the county, this leadership role is filled by a paid SRTS or Bike-Ped Coordinator. Needs to Address: Some elementary schools still lack consistent SRTS programming, parent leadership, and/or have new principals. Christopher High School has no SRTS program. Lack of paid coordinator leadership presents challenges to the coordination, communication, instruction, training, meeting attendance, and networking necessary to have a robust and growing program. Goals: -Promote, educate, and/or encourage safe walking or bicycling for school children and residents of every ability
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City of Gilroy
Gilroy BPAC Measure B Safe Routes to School Bicycle-Pedestrian Education & Encouragement Work Plan
Rationale: According to the League of American Bicyclists, in 2001 more than 6 out of every 7 trips by American youth ages 5 to 15 were by biking or walking, but by 2017 less than 1 out of every 3 trips were by biking or walking. According to the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, fifty years ago nearly half of students walked or biked to school, but as of ten years ago only one in eight students walked or biked to school. There has been a corresponding increase in family vehicle usage. Meanwhile childhood obesity rates have doubled and adolescent obesity rates have tripled nationally with Gilroy having the highest obesity rates in the county. Walking and biking to school builds community and family relationships daily, increases daily physical activity, improves mental and physical health, increases readiness to learn, reduces traffic congestion around schools, reduces pollution around schools, and increases attitudes that school is fun. Furthermore, according to the CDC, motor vehicle traffic related injuries are the leading cause of death among US children age 0-19. The highest death rates were among occupants of motor vehicles in traffic with a substantial number of pedestrian and cyclist deaths occurring as well. Gilroy's rates of motor vehicle deaths among youth are higher than other communities in our county. We need robust and comprehensive SRTS programming to address the situations described above. In a study of neighborhoods that began SRTS programming, the annual rate of pedestrian injury decreased 33% among school-aged children (5- to 19-year-olds) and 14% in other age groups. Similarly, the annual rate of school-aged pedestrian injury during school-travel hours decreased 44%. Strengths to leverage: Multi-million dollar grants funded a comprehensive SRTS program at all GUSD elementary and middle schools over the past 3-5 years. All elementary and middle schools have had a SRTS site assessment and developed a SRTS plan. The Specialized Outride PE Bike Program is in place or will be in place at all 3 Gilroy Middle Schools. A high school community service SRTS leadership team is in place at GHS and is coordinating with ASMS. Elementary and middle schools have route maps. A SRTS Taskforce and Action Plan was spearheaded by Gilroy BPAC with Gilroy BPAC currently taking the leadership role in collaboration between enforcement officers, engineers, school district administration & leadership, parents, students, non-profit support agencies, community organizations, and service providers. In most cities in the county, this leadership role is filled by a paid SRTS or Bike-Ped Coordinator. Needs to Address: Some elementary schools still lack consistent SRTS programming, parent leadership, and/or have new principals. Christopher High School has no SRTS program. Lack of paid coordinator leadership presents challenges to the coordination, communication, instruction, training, meeting attendance, and networking necessary to have a robust and growing program. Goals: -Promote, educate, and/or encourage safe walking or bicycling for school children and residents of every ability
-Communicate to school children and residents the benefits of walking and bicycling; and -Communicate to school children and residents the rights and responsibilities of pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. Events & Programs: -Walk & Roll Days -Travel Tallies -Walking School Busses -In-Class Bike-Ped Education -Bike Trains -Bike Rodeos -Family Fun Bike Nights -Bike Rack Decorating Contests -Parent train the trainer programs -Helmet Fittings at schools -Outreach and recruitment at schools -Creation and distribution of marketing materials to encourage safe walking, biking, and driving -Middle School PE Bike Program -High School Community Service Project Evaluation Metrics, Project Reach and Scale -Events will be evaluated by the amount of students engaged. -Mode shift will be evaluated by the continuation of walk & bike tally counts at all elementary schools including October & May teacher travel surveys and every X years a parent SRTS survey. Cost: -Specialized Outride Middle School PE Bike Program (already acquired through grant; may need support developing off campus rides; $) -High School Programs? ($) (There are 9 elementary schools and there will be 8 in 2020-2021 school year) -Bike Rodeo ($1,200/school; if 3 sessions or less: $800) -Family Fun Bike Night ($800/school) -Pedestrian Rodeo (Free/CHP) -5th grade bike-ped in class education (Gilroy PD) -Walk Education (Free/CHP) -K-4 in-class bike-ped education (YMCA/Power School/SVBC have provided/$60/hr for paid LCI) -School Travel Tallies (October & May) data sheet copies, teacher incentives, collection, and data entry ($) -Walk/Bike Parent Surveys, collection, and data entry ($) -Helmets for schools and community events (currently free/may need to make copies of vouchers & need volunteers to fit) -Bike-Ped rodeo and education equipment and materials (currently free)
-Walking School Bus safety materials (free?$) -Bike blender (currently have, smoothie ingredients cost $) -Educational Spin Wheel (currently have) -Attendance at meetings for SRTS outreach, plans, and recruitment ($ currently BPAC and SCCPHD phase out) -Incentives for GUSD Schools-- Walk &Roll raffle tickets $ & raffle items-- reflective stickers $ reflective bands $ LED lights $ water bottles $ shirts $ tire patch kits $ bike/scooter end of year raffle at tally participating schools $400-1,000 Total Cost: ~ $1,000 – (x)
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