Busy intersections, speeding cars and unsafe crosswalks are among the hazards local agencies hope to address in a new neighborhood planning effort, Safe Routes to School in the Sacramento Area.

Initiated by the Local Government Commission and the California Bicycle Coalition, the program is aimed at improving safety and reducing pedestrian accidents near elementary schools in four diverse communities in the Sacramento area. The program will engage students, parents, teachers and community leaders in neighborhood planning activities designed to develop plans for traffic calming and safety improvements in school zones and their surrounding neighborhoods.

The effort will be funded with a $112,934 Caltrans Environmental Justice Grant. At the request of the Local Government Commission, the Board of Directors on July 15 approved a resolution authorizing SACOG to accept the grant on the Local Government Commission’s behalf. SACOG will also provide technical assistance and contract administration.

Organizers say the effort will fill a distinct need to improve pedestrian, bicyclist and motorist safety in school zones and nearby communities region wide. Despite living in close proximity to schools, many parents cite safety concerns as a barrier to allowing children to walk and bike to school. As many as 5,000 child pedestrians are injured each year in California, and pedestrian accidents are the second-leading cause of fatal injuries among children 5 to 12 years of age statewide.

The project will focus on A.M. Winn Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Pacific Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Bannon Creek Elementary and Natomas Park Elementary. Three are located in the Sacramento City Unified School District, and three are in the Natomas Unified School District.

Organizers hope the project will serve as a model for other communities looking for ways to increase mobility options near schools. Benefits are expected to extend beyond the student population by enhancing mobility choices and safety for all residents.