Roughly half of the more than 200 schools proposed to have speed limits reduced to 15 MPH on surrounding streets were quickly approved at an SFMTA hearing today. The rest are expected to be approved at another hearing in three weeks before heading to the full SFMTA Board of Directors for final approval.

“We think this is an excellent way to make areas all over our city safer for kids, for seniors, and for everyone who has to walk around to meet their daily needs,” said Walk SF Executive Director Elizabeth Stampe.

SFMTA Associate Engineer Maurice Growney said up to one hundred 15 mph school zones could be in place by the end of the year, and all 211 implemented by the end of 2012. Staff will aim to distribute the zones evenly around the city as they go in, he said. Funding for the program was approved by the SF County Transportation Authority on Tuesday.

“It’s a step in the right direction towards creating a better city where people have the options [to walk and bike to school] and feel safe and comfortable doing so,” said Neal Patel of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.

The approved zones are expected to go before the SFMTA Board of Directors at a meeting later this month.