The SF Unified School District is the tenth city agency to adopt Vision Zero, officials announced at a Bike and Roll to School event today.
The announcement came in conjunction with the launch of an after-school program in Chinatown that teaches kids about safer street design. Supervisor Norman Yee also announced a push last week to bring student crossing guards back to schools around the city. Last year he revived the program as a pilot, starting at Commodore Sloat Elementary School, where today's event was held.
“We know it’s great for children and great for our city when more kids and families get around on foot, bicycle and bus,” said Board of Education Commissioner Sandra Lee Fewer in a statement. “Kids arrive at school energized and alert; the streets around schools are less congested; and we all breathe cleaner air. We have to make our streets as safe as possible to support all of you walking, biking and rolling every day, which is what Vision Zero is all about.”
More than 4,000 students, parents, and staff at nearly 90 schools were expected to participate in this year's Bike and Roll to School Week, according to the SF Bicycle Coalition. Participation has grown immensely since the first Bike to School Day in 2009, when about 600 rode to school. In 2013, the event was expanded to a full week.
"Today demonstrates the beautiful potential of our city," said SFBC Executive Director Noah Budnick in a statement. "We are realizing a vision where our roads are safe and welcoming for parents and kids of all ages to bike to school. When we make our streets safe for the youngest commuters, they're safe for everyone."
