Welcome Back to School! Safety and Wellness Tips
As we welcome August, it is both back to school for many and National Wellness Month. What better time to share safety and wellness tips to help families and the whole community, get started on the right foot. With our great year-round weather, we are fortunate that many kids can comfortably walk and bike to school. Share the road safely, especially during school arrival and dismissal times. Read on for important reminders for the whole community to be well, and stay safe in and around Palo Alto.
Traffic & School Zone Updates
Hoover Elementary School is temporarily located at Greendell School, which is located at 4120 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto. The community around Greendell should anticipate different traffic patterns in this area, allowing for extra time to get around during school arrival and departure times. See the school schedule here.
Leave early to accommodate the designated 20 mph speed limit in school zones or consider parking a distance away from the campus, then walking or riding a bicycle with your student the rest of the way to model safe walking or cycling behaviors. Moderate your speed, especially when approaching intersections and corners, and allow extra space for pedestrians and cyclists.
Stay Connected & Report Concerns
Help the City keep traffic flowing smoothly by reporting problems you notice on your commute. Thank you for reporting community concerns while you are out and about. Use Palo Alto 311 (the app or the website). For a list of handy phone numbers, go here.
Another way to keep in touch regarding traffic safety is to attend a City/School Transportation Safety Committee Meetings. The next one takes place August 23, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Click here to learn more and register via Zoom.
Connect with the City on social media by going to www.cityofpaloalto.org/connect. And make sure to sign up for emergency alerts!
Bike Safety Reminders
Choose the Right Route & Share the Road Safely
- Practice your route ahead of time to help prepare for your ride and know how much time you need to get to school on time. Suggested route maps for all PAUSD schools are available here.
- Avoid high-traffic areas when possible. If you must ride along or cross high traffic corridors, consider walking your bike.
- Bike 3–6 feet away from parked cars.
- Stop at stop signs and be alert at all intersections.
- Ride in the same direction as traffic flow.
- Obey adult crossing guard instructions.
Learn more about Palo Alto’s Safe Routes to School program and get more safety resources here.
Wear a Properly Fitted Helmet
California law requires anyone under 18 to wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet when riding a bicycle, scooter, skateboard, or skates. Though, wearing a properly fitted helmet is an important safety reminder for all of us, at any age! When shopping for a new helmet, look for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) certification sticker and check the helmet’s fit before purchasing.
Additional helmet safety tips are available here.
Be Visible
Temporary sun glare blindness can impact visibility for drivers and cyclists. If you’re struggling to see the road ahead, drivers are probably struggling to see as well. In situations with dangerously low visibility, use bike lights to be seen, or it may be safer to get off the road and walk your bike on the sidewalk.
More information on road visibility is available here
Avoid Bike Theft
U-locks are recommended as cable locks can be cut quickly. Practice using your lock to ensure proper placement and ease of use. Whenever possible, lock through the frame and wheel of your bicycle. You can also register with the Bike Index for added security in case your bike is stolen.
View information on preventing bike theft.
Collisions are Rare but be Prepared
What to do, if there is a collision
Palo Alto Police Department recommends students always call either the police or their parents if they are riding a bike and involved in a collision with a car. If you are physically injured or experiencing pain, call 9–1–1 for help. If you are not experiencing pain and believe you are not injured, call the Palo Alto Police Department 24-hour Dispatch Center at 650–329–2413 to report the collision so it is tracked by staff. Remain at the scene until help arrives. While filing a police report is not required in all cases, reporting helps the Safe Routes to School team identify problem areas and work with City staff and others to improve safety for all road users.
Keep Important Phone Numbers & Contacts
Consider adding the PAPD 24-hour Dispatch Center number (650–329–2413) to your contacts. If you don’t have a phone, write it down and keep it in your backpack or wallet. Keep emergency contact information (such as your name and who to contact in case of emergency) on you when biking or walking.
Learn more here.
Staying Well Year Round
In early 2023, the City Council continued community health and safety as a Council priority. Resources are available to uplift our community all year round, especially a wide variety of mental health programs and hotlines and fitness programs, and offerings for youth. Many of the resources can be found in our weekly in our digital newsletter called Uplift Local (Sign up now.) Check out our May 2023 Mental Health Awareness Month article to find more resources. In addition, the Palo Alto Unified School District offers a variety of tips and resources on health and wellness throughout the school year.
More Online Resources
Find ideas to keep summer fun going all month long!
Find bike to school resources, maps, FAQs and more here.
Learn more about bicycling and walking in Palo Alto here.
Register for the Bike Index here.
Find educational resources about walking, biking, transit, and carpooling here.
