I write to you as a Safe Routes to School parent volunteer at Laurel Elementary School. Because of our split Laurel campuses, many of our students and families use Coleman as a main transportation route between the campuses. It is even listed on the Menlo Park-produced Safe Routes map for students and families to plan their daily commutes. But it is not on that map because it is safe, but because it is the only logical option.
For years our SRTS parent volunteers have been educating kids about pedestrian and bike safety and encouraging families to use active transport as they commute to and from school. But as we have these record numbers of students biking, walking, and scootering, their parents are realizing how "high stress" of a corridor Coleman is when you arent in a car.
Per the staff report for the October 22 meeting, I encourage the council to take actions 1-5 on Table 3: accept the staff report, support the one-way on the county portion, remove parking on one side of Coleman, install traffic calming measures, and a stop sign at Santa Monica while instructing staff to pursue grant funding for the strongest possible infrastructure to support pedestrians and cyclists, both young and old. Our entire community should feel safe and comfortable on Coleman.
I know you’re all very busy and we appreciate the hard work you put in!
-Meredith
Safe Routes to School Co-Chair
Laurel Elementary
