I recognize that some parents are always going to drive their kids to
school. There are probably some good reasons to do so, such as Cathy's
suggestions. All of her ideas for increasing safety and biking/walking
have been part of various SRTS programs we've worked with.
Several years ago, a village board member in Shorewood Hills complained
to me about the traffic problems around the school. Parents were
blocking other people getting out of their driveways; creating safety
hazards for pedestrians; arguing with each other; and generally making a
mess of the school area. I suggested that they institute a no-drop-off
area and then designate an area where parents could park for 15 minutes
and walk with their kids. There is a small strip mall about 1/4 mile
from the school. I though that would be a good place. He assured me that
no one would do it, and questioned what kids and parents would do in
winter.
Winter? Do I have to go into stories about walking to school in winter
when I was a kid?
I should also point out that not one kid who attends the Shorewood Hills
Elementary School lives more than 1.5 miles from the school, so there
are no buses!
-- Robbie
Cathy Van Maren wrote:
Parents are going to continue dropping their kids at school. Maybe the
school is on the way to work and it's the only time the parent has to
talk to the child. Maybe the child has 50+ pounds of books in her/his
backpack. Maybe she/he has to bring a big poster or project to school.
Maybe the parent is afraid that unless she/he watches the child
actually enter the school, the child may not actually enter the
school. Maybe the bus driver is a religious fanatic who makes the kids
listen to Christian music on the bus. Maybe there are bullies on the
bus. etc. etc. etc.
Most (not all) of this stuff has occurred in our family.
Maybe schools should establish drop off zones that are at least one
block from the school with adult supervision along the walk from zone
to school (with umbrellas when it's raining).
Maybe bikies at each school should establish "bike-bus" routes where
adult leaders bike with a pack of kids (establish routes and start
times for those who sign up. Give prizes - waterbottles, gloves,
jersies, etc. to kids who participate x% during the semester (use a
punch ticket attached to the bike))
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