LAUSD: Get to School without a Car

SPECIAL MEETING 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 28, 2009

http://laschoolboard.org/files/4-28-09CSAgenda.pdf

This is the resolution introduced by Board member Ms. T Galatzan - Get to School without a Car Day (Waiver of Board Rule 72)
Whereas, The Los Angeles Unified School District should encourage healthy behavior of students, parents and school staff members by encouraging them to walk or ride a bicycle to schools instead of driving;
Whereas, The promotion of healthier lifestyles through walking or bicycling to schools will help reduce carbon monoxide gases from cars and trucks which have adverse effects on the health of children;
Whereas, Bicycling and walking to school can have a positive mental and physical impact on the health of students and learning capabilities;
Whereas, Daily bicycling and walking exercise can help to reduce obesity and prevent diabetes;
Whereas, Nationally in 1969, about 90 percent of kids who lived within a mile of school walked or rode bikes to get there and nationally in 2004, just 48 percent did at least one day a week;
Whereas, Students need to learn at an early age and be exposed to alternative modes of transportation other than using a vehicle to transport to schools;
Whereas, In recent years the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has enhanced the public transportation system throughout the city by providing bicycle racks on their buses, making it more accessible and user-friendly for bicyclist;
Whereas, May is the National Bike to Work Month and May 15 is National Bike to Work Day; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That Los Angeles Unified School District schools receiving the Safe Routes to School educational program grants, about 250 elementary schools and 15 middle schools, be helped to disperse the free educational materials for students and parents;
Resolved further, That the District collaborate with the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, Los Angeles County of Public Health, and the City of Los Angeles Bicycle Advisory Committee to develop a blueprint for a Bicycle Policy Guidelines to be adopted by each school; and be it finally
Resolved, That the District encourage schools and offices to participate in the annual National "Bike/Walk to Work Day," on Friday, May 15, 2009, and declare Friday, May 15, 2009, "Bike/Walk to School Day" for students, parents, and school staff.

Planning Walk or Bike to School Day

WALK OR BIKE TO SCHOOL DAY PLANNING MEETING

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 3:30-5:30pm,
Meeting in Room 312, Blue Core
Lincoln Middle School
1501 California Avenue
Santa Monica CA 90403
Note: Room 312 is on ground floor,
near staff parking lot off California and the bike rack, of course!

AGENDA

1. Welcome and Introductions
Purpose: Plan for Walk or Bike to School Days June 1-5, 2009

2. Safe Routes to School at SMMUSD – Alison Kendall


3. Bike Day Organizing at Samohi – Lulu Mickelson and Theo Benjamin,
Samohi Solar Alliance

4. Walk-Bike Day at Lincoln June 3 and JAMS Middle Schools – June 3 or 5, 2009

5. Bicycle Safety Education Ideas for May:
Bike Safety Assembly
Bicycle Skills Classes - After School, LACBC and SM Police SRO
Helmet Sales at School
Sponsorship for Helmet Prize Giveaway
Safer Route Planning – Distribute Bike Maps
Additional Safe Bicycle Racks – Bike Valet?

6. Getting the Word Out:
Staff, Parent and Student Leaders at each School
School Administration and Security Staff
City: Police, CREST, TDM
PTSA Meetings, including Malibu, Council
School Email Lists
Student Posters
Competition/Rewards
Local Press


7. Collecting Information
Helmet Use and Bike Counts
Classroom Surveys: Walk, Bike, Transit, Carpool, Drive?
Rewards for Participation – Sponsors?
Calculate Carbon Savings
Recruit Volunteers for Next Year + Safe Routes

SMMUSD Adopts Bicycle Resolution

At the meeting in the SMMUSD District offices the board members voted unanimously for the Resolution. Yeah! Thanks to Alison for the great work, thanks to Tana for the inspiration, thanks to Barbara for her support and being there early on. Thanks to Jim, Ron, Mihai, Anthony and most of all A Super Great Thank you to the students of SAMOHI, the Solar Alliance and the Bicycle Coalition: You've got the wheel rolling, and now we have a commitment from the district, and that means, that means, that means, that means the-sky-is-the-limit. Anyone said we need to think big? Yes indeed. And we may have a test on this resolution tomorrow, so we better all memorize it.

The discussion highlighted the need be flexible with the bike to school date because of conflicts with examinations. There was emphasis to ensure helmet use, there was a suggestion to count cyclists, and to report back on accident numbers, in order to improve dangerous roadways. There was a very interesting suggestion to honor, annually, a student, a parent, and a member of staff or teacher for "services to cycling", and now, --- leaving out all the Whereas - here is the Resolved

Resolved: The District supports the annual National “Bike/Walk to Work Week”, May 11 - 15, 2009, and the District also declares Friday, May 15, 2009 “Bike/Walk to School Day” for students and school staff;

Resolved: The District will support the establishment of bicycle clubs and other student clubs to encourage walking and biking to school.

Resolved: The District and school safety staff will work with the PTSA, local police and school resource officers and cycling organizations to maximize opportunities for safety education for cycling students as offered by the League of American Bicyclists, including promoting use of bicycle helmets, knowledge of traffic rules and cycling skills;

Resolved: The District will encourage schools to document unsafe pedestrian and bicycle routes to the schools in conjunction with Safe Routes to Schools programs;

Resolved: The District will actively pursue Safe Routes to School State infrastructure grant funding for improved bicycle facilities and infrastructure;

Resolved: The District will direct all schools receiving Safe Routes to School grants to include parents and staff in the educational effort;

Resolved: The District will offer their staff commute alternatives programs based on local Transportation Demand Management ordinances so that staff and teachers can become commuting role models for their students;

Resolved: The District will host a safe cycling course for staff and teachers as part of the commute alternatives;

Resolved: The District will collaborate with the city of Santa Monica to implement sustainable transportation policies for schools and other district facilities;

Resolved: The District will collaborate with the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition to develop a blueprint for Bicycle Policy Guidelines to be adopted by the District Health and Safety Advisory Committee and implemented by each school’s safety committee;

Resolved: The District schools will distribute free information to students, staff and parents on alternative modes and public transportation to schools provided by Big Blue Bus;

Resolved: This District should do all that it can to promote walking and cycling as a viable means of transportation to schools and offices;

Resolved: The District should encourage students, parents and school staff members to walk, bike, or take a bus to schools instead of driving;

Resolved: By 2012 all schools in the district are to have safe and secured bicycle parking facilities, meeting relevant bicycle rack specifications and providing sufficient secure bicycle parking capacity to meet the most recent CHPS standards for California schools such as a fenced bicycle area with bicycle racks, for students and staff and visitors. City of Santa Monica or LA DOT standards for bicycle racks should be consulted for updated standards. A range of bicycle parking, including some weather protected parking, bike parking accessible outside school hours, and bike parking near all campus entries should be provided.

Happy Bicycle Parking Everybody! What next?