Programs: Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety

There are lots of great reasons for kids to walk and bike. Walking and riding a bike are easy ways for kids to be physically active. Walking and cycling allow children to be more independent and are environmentally friendly modes of transportation.

As we encourage children to walk and bicycle, we also need to provide them with the tools they need to be safe. Bike and pedestrian injuries can be reduced by teaching children how to walk and ride correctly and making sure they wear the proper safety equipment.

Statistics/ Impact

In Sonoma County from 2002 to 2004, three pedestrians under the age of 15, were killed and 22 were hospitalized (18 of these were motor-vehicle related).
43 children ages 0 to 14 were hospitalized for bicycle injuries during that time period, eight of them motor-vehicle related.

Efforts

Safe Kids Sonoma County oversees the Herb Greenberg Helmet Bank to provide free helmets to children from low-income households.
The coalition also loans a bicycle rodeo kit for schools or community organizations to teach children how to safely ride their bicycle. If you would like to host a bike rodeo, please click on the Herb Greenberg Bicycle Rodeo kit link.
Safe Kids Sonoma County is dedicated to establishing a Safe Routes to School Program so that children can safely walk or bike to and from their schools.

Walk and Roll to School Day

In 1997, the Partnership for a Walkable America sponsored the first National Walk Our Children to School Day in Chicago. By the year 2002, children, parents, teachers and community leaders in all 50 states joined nearly 3 million walkers around the world to celebrate the second annual International Walk to School Day. Now there’s a Walk to School day every year in California and across the nation.

Whether your concern is safer and improved routes , healthier habits, or cleaner air, Walk to School Day events are aimed at affecting permanent change to encourage a safer America—one community at a time. For more information please visit our resources bike safety and pedestrian safety sections.

Legislation and Policies

Safe Kids Sonoma County works with local elected officials, law makers, and law enforcement personnel to advocate for bicycle safety laws, policies and practices. Click on the link below to read California’s current helmet law.