Special Features
Annual Meeting for the Safe Routes to School National Partnership: August 12
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership’s FREE Annual Meeting is taking place Monday, August 12 from 1:00-5:00 pm in conjunction with the 4th Safe Routes to School National Conference in Sacramento, CA, followed by a Safe Routes Social from 5:00-6:00 pm. This half-day event will be held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, and includes an update on the National Partnership’s work and plans for the future, a federal update, and the ever-popular breakout groups. There is also opportunity to network with fellow Safe Routes enthusiasts. Save the date and plan on signing up for this FREE meeting when you register for the 4th Safe Routes to School National Conference. Feel free to contact Molly Simon, molly@
California Advocacy Day for Safe Routes to School, Pedestrian and Bicycle Funds: August 15
California residents — make your voices heard at the state capital in Sacramento by participating in an Advocacy Day, organized by the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, TransForm and Sacramento Walks. This event will take place at the end of the 4th Safe Routes to School National Conference on Thursday, August 15. We will gather on the evening on August 14 to explain what we are advocating for and how to advocate, and then head to the “Building” in the afternoon the next day to meet with policy maker offices to advocate for legislation that will support Safe Routes to School and pedestrian and bicycle funds. Mid-August is the perfect time for us to make an impact, as all bills that will be headed to the Governor’s desk must pass out of the Assembly and Senate by mid-September. Advocacy Day will conclude by 5:00 pm so you can still travel home on August 15.
You can indicate your interest in participating in this effort by checking the appropriate box when you register online to attend the conference, or by contacting Molly Simon, molly@
FREE Transit Passes for All Conference Attendees
Sacramento Regional Transit is generously providing complimentary transit passes for all 4th Safe Routes to Schools National Conference attendees — for use on RT buses and Light Rail — from Monday through Friday (August 12-15). Participants will be able to pick-up their free passes when they check during onsite conference registration hours at the Sheraton Grand Hotel. More details will be included in participant confirmation material sent out in late July.
Charitable Bike Build
New youth bikes will be available for participants to help build during the conference. This activity will involve participants in a charitable act that will directly benefit local youth. At the close of the conference, the assembled bikes will be donated to local youth organizations. To find out more about the Charitable Bike Build and how you can contribute to this important effort, visit our Bike Build page.
Youth Engagement
The Local Government Commission (LGC) is working with the California Center for Civic Participation and other local and regional organizations to ensure this event includes a strong youth engagement component, including the participation of both middle and high school-age youth from around the Sacramento region — and hopefully other parts of the country. The LGC and its conference partners are currently working to identify and develop opportunities for youth to participate in the conference in a meaningful way, as speakers, tour leaders, volunteers and participants.
If you would like to share your great ideas for ways to engage middle and high school-age youth, know of groups who we should be reaching out to around this issue, or would like to help with this effort, please contact Shani Alford at salford@lgc.org.
Onsite Bike Share Program
Practical Cycle, a Sacramento-based bike shop, has committed to providing a small fleet of bicycles for the conference bike share program. Bicycles and helmets will be available for participants to check out during the event for use in getting some physical activity between sessions and exploring the local bike trails and Sacramento’s lively downtown and midtown areas, all easily accessible by bicycle. Route maps will be provided to participants to find their way around easily and safely.
Onsite Bike Valet
Planning on biking to the conference? Participants who expect to bike to the conference will be able to enjoy the convenience of a bike valet. Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates (SABA) is sponsoring this FREE service. Dedicated and trained conference volunteers will supervise your bike during the scheduled time of the bike valet. You will receive a ticket that correspondence with the ticket on your bike that will allow for easy check-in and checkout.
SABA, a conference partner, will manage both the onsite Bike Share and Bike Vale. A schedule will be posted soon.