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Letters
Safe school routes
Recently, Assembly Bill 1475 bogged down in our state Senate. The bill is known as the "Safe Routes to School Bill." It doesn't raise taxes, but would ensure that some of our highway and road improvement money is used to make it safer for kids to walk or ride their bikes to school. It funds the simple things that prevent kids from getting hit by cars, things like sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes and off-street paths. Besides making our streets safer for kids that already walk or bike to school, it surely will result in more kids walking and riding.
In an effort to reduce traffic congestion around our schools and to encourage healthier alternatives, Cupertino's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee has looked at why so few kids bike and walk to school. The answer is simple, parents feel it is too dangerous. There is a combination of fear of traffic accidents and "stranger danger." The committee came to the conclusion that trying to push kids and parents into walking and bicycling would be irresponsible. Instead, we are working on reducing the risks so that parents feel more comfortable with letting their kids get to school on their own. AB1475 will provide funding needed to help make it happen.
All of us can help reduce traffic around our schools and increase safety for kids by encouraging our state senators to move AB 1475 forward. Sen. Vasconcellos, who represents Cupertino, is also on the Appropriations Committee, where this bill is currently stalled. Please write him and indicate your support for this good legislation.
Address your mail to: The Hon. John Vasconcellos, State Capitol, Sacramento, 95814.
Richard Lowenthal
Chairman, Cupertino Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
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Cupertino, California Since 1947
