Safe Routes to School

Bike Smart, Ride Safe: Building Safer Streets Together

For years, the San Mateo-Foster City School District has partnered with the San Mateo County Office of Education's Safe Routes to School program, the Cities of San Mateo and Foster City, both police departments, and community organizations to help students get to school safely.

Together, we have taught fourth graders to ride at bike rodeos. We have trained middle schoolers to handle e-bikes responsibly, brought families together for community bike events, and spoken up for safer streets and bike lanes near our schools. As more students ride bikes, e-bikes, and scooters, our commitment keeps growing. Every student deserves a safe ride to school, and every member of our community has a part in making that happen.

Bike Rodeos for 4th Graders

Every year, SMFCSD fourth graders take part in a Bike Rodeo run with Safe Routes to School. Students practice in "Safe Moves City," a mini street course with crosswalks, bike lanes, traffic signals, and signs. Traffic safety instructors teach them to spot hazards and react safely. Students learn helmet fit, safe riding habits, and road awareness, skills they'll carry into middle school and beyond.

E-Bike Safety Training

As e-bikes have become a common way for students to get to school, we have expanded our safety education to match.

E-Bike Sense at Bowditch (November 2025): More than 65 students completed a two-hour, hands-on class over three early-release days. The class combined one hour in the classroom with one hour of riding drills, led by E-Bike Sense founder Megan Lamb. Students helped spread the word through the Empowering Student Voices Council.
E-Bike Safety & Information Night in partnership with Foster City Police Department and San Mateo Police Department (February 19, 2026): Families joined district staff and local law enforcement partners at Bayside Academy. They learned about e-bike classes, California laws, where e-bikes may be ridden, and how to tell an e-bike from an off-road electric motorcycle. Families could bring e-bikes for live demonstrations, attend virtually, and get Spanish translation.

Bike Smart, Ride Safe! Community Event

On December 7, 2024, the district held its first-ever Bike Smart, Ride Safe! event at Beach Park Elementary. The day was planned with Foster City schools, the City of Foster City and Parks & Recreation, the Foster City Police Department, the County of San Mateo, and SMCOE Safe Routes to School. Families enjoyed a BMX stunt show, a bike obstacle course, partner safety booths, helmet decorating, and safety gear raffles. Students of all ages, from first-time riders to e-bike commuters, practiced riding skills in a safe setting.

Get Ready for Middle School Bike Rides

Advocating for Safer Streets

Safe streets need safe infrastructure, and the district has consistently supported it:

Ongoing: We support Slow for Students school-zone speed limits in both cities and walk audits at 16 schools.
2025: The Board of Trustees approved a resolution supporting a potential $360,000 Foster City transportation grant for safer streets.
2025: The district urged the San Mateo City Council to keep the Humboldt Street bike lanes. The 1.6-mile corridor directly serves four schools and connects to the city's only safe bike crossings over Highway 101.
2024: SMFCSD PTA presidents signed a letter urging the adoption of Vision Zero.
2023: The Superintendent supported Foster City's grant application for a Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. The district later shared the city's planning survey with families.
2021: The City of San Mateo endorsed the district's Safe Routes to School grant proposal to teach students safe walking and biking.

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