September 19 , 2003, #12

Let's Walk & Roll

School’s in Session – Take Care

Everyone with a school-aged child knows that we have passed from summer into fall. (Yes, we know that the equinox is the literal definition, but with schools getting back into session, even those without kids know that we’ve turned the bend). Now is a great time to talk about heightening our awareness regarding Alameda’s latest crop of intellectuals.

Parents and non-parents alike need to become re-acquainted with proper (read “legal”) driving behavior. With all the signs and public service announcements around, it shouldn’t need to be said that keeping to the speed limit is paramount, even when you’re not driving next to a school. At 25 mph, you have plenty of time to notice Alameda’s youngest generation before they possibly dart out into the street.

Parents picking up and dropping off their kids at school need to avoid double parking (even for a split second), blocking sidewalks, and stopping in crosswalks. Not only does this cause a problem for all the other users of the street, it also encourages some drivers to pull around you into the oncoming lane, drastically increasing the chances of an accident.

Almost as important, especially considering the crisis in child obesity, is using the beginning of the school year to start a routine of walking, biking or scootering to school.

Parents should learn the rules of the road for pedestrians and cyclists and use the trip to school as a way of discussing not only the child’s responsibility, but that of the other road users as well. Children should learn to wait for green lights to walk, but they also need to know that they still need to look both ways to make sure some maniac isn’t gunning it through the light or trying to make a quick left turn to beat the oncoming traffic.

Cyclists should learn that pedestrians always have the right of way, and to slow down and call out (or ring a bell) before passing a person on the sidewalk. Stopping at each corner to look both ways is also necessary; until children reach 8-10 years old, they do not have the developmental skills to use good judgment in crossing the street alone. Stopping at the corner not only forces them to look both ways, but keeps them from darting out in front of cars that are approaching.

It may seem daunting to walk/bike to school. So much of our lives are run by routine. Keep in mind that bicycling your kids to school will probably not take much longer than driving them! It’s true. Set a goal that’s attainable so that you don’t give up because you’re feeling guilty. If you don’t already walk or bike, try finding one morning a week to do it. Once you figure out how easy it is, you are bound to increase the frequency.

A great day to start is October 8th, Walk and Roll to School Day! More information, including how to get involved, can be found at www.pedfriendly.org. Even if you don’t have kids, you can help teach children the value of exercise in their daily routine.

Are you interested in learning more about bicycling and pedestrian issues? Attend the first annual Walk/Bike California conference in Oakland, Oct 15-18. More information is available at www.walkbikecalifornia.net.

Jeff Swatman is the Alameda Police Department Traffic Sergeant. If you have questions regarding pedestrian/bicycle safety, please call him at 748-4508 extension 3342. John Knox White and Audrey Lord-Hausman work with Pedestrian Friendly Alameda (www.pedfriendly.org) and BikeAlameda (www.bikealameda.org).

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