Hello all and thank you for your support of lower speed limits around San Mateo schools.
The good news is that the City of San Mateo is currently working on Phase I of the project that you helped get approved in 2021. The first phase includes thirteen public elementary and middle schools. Subsequent phases of the project, to be completed in the next year or so, will include private schools and high schools. You can find a list and map of the schools and a description of the project on the City's web page. Note that not all schools in San Mateo (e.g., Aragon) will see reductions in speed limits and thus other safety improvements will be necessary.
This project is a major step towards making it safer and more comfortable for kids to walk and bike to campus instead of driving. In the past year, the City has also installed 2+ miles of bike lanes around San Mateo High and College Park Elementary schools, providing safer riding to the thousands of students who attend these schools from all neighborhoods in San Mateo and from adjacent cities. Studies have demonstrated that slower vehicle speeds and safe bike infrastructure are important steps in keeping kids safe, reducing traffic and pollution, and improving home values and neighborhood quality of life.
Here are some recent media reports on the project:
Thanks again for your help in making our streets safer for the kids and we hope to see you foot or bike soon!
Mike Swire
SMHS parent & Move San Mateo/Silicon Valley Bike Coalition Volunteer