In Bakersfield, CA, a significant percentage of children depend on walking and biking to school as their primary means of transportation. Despite the evident need for safety measures to protect this vulnerable community, there is a stark lack of secure school-area crossings. This creates an unsafe environment for our children who are forced to maneuver through chaotic traffic every day. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrian deaths accounted for 17% of all traffic fatalities in 2019. We believe that the implementation of more safe school crossings can significantly reduce the risk to our children, thereby promoting a safer, more walkable, and bikeable community. To address this issue, we call upon the local government of Bakersfield, CA to implement more safety measures including additional crosswalks, traffic signs, and crossing guards near our schools. It is crucial that our children’s safety be prioritized to ensure a secure journey to and from school. Every child in Bakersfield should have the right to a safe journey to school. Please sign this petition to demand safer school crossings in Bakersfield, CA.