Santa Monica Safe Routes reimagines transportation

Michigan Avenue has long been a bane on the mornings of Samo students and parents alike.  However, Samo’s transportation overhaul is drawing to a slow close as Santa Monica Safe Routes to School (SRTS) reorganizes the operation of the intersection of  Michigan Avenue and 7th Street.According to the City of Santa Monica Planning and Community Development team, the SRTS program will help better the walkers’ and bikers’ conditions near school and improve the health and safety of transportation for students.“Safe Routes is not just about making some wider sidewalks, better crossings or adding bike lanes around the school,” SRTS design manager Michelle Glickert said. “It is about your independence, creating a place that allows you to get to school in your own way.”In 2007, the Samohi Solar Alliance decided to begin a tradition every October and May with the now established “Bike It! Walk It!” days. Because of the growing interest and priorities expressed in the community for biking and walking to school, the program blossomed. SMMUSD took to the idea and decided to expand on it and make alternative transportation an easier experience.The most notable action taken by SRTS is the transformation of Samo’s easternmost entrance, making a one-way street going westbound on Michigan Avenue west of Lincoln Boulevard, and making 7th street one-way southbound street towards Pico Boulevard. Cyclists can expect bike lanes going both directions to be incorporated into the redesign of 7th Street and Michigan Avenue. Additionally, more bike racks will be appearing on campus, allowing for students to store their bikes closer to their classroom.“The project at this stage has been mostly physical,” Glickert said. “Up next will be getting everyone out there using it; learning the rules of the road for those driving around it, riding through it and walking along it.”SRTS hopes to make daily physical activity and safety skills a bigger part of everyday student life by having more “Bike it! Walk it!’ days in the school year. SMMUSD is planning family-oriented classes and is beginning the Safe Routes to School Strategic Plan, which will expand to all Santa Monica schools soon.“I think [SRTS is] a great idea,” Samo student Keera Clarke (’17) said. “It gets people in shape and it sounds a lot safer considering how many cars are reckless. It would be a lot nicer to have more bike lanes so it would be safer to get [to school].”