I have been working on curriculum for 4 bicycle safety lessons for all 5th and 4th graders and 2 pedestrian safety lessons for 3rd and 2nd graders at Greer Elementary. This Safe Routes to School grant was funded by CalTrans –> County of Sacramento –> SABA. We just received our official start date for the program so I began ordering supplies: helmets for about 220 kids (15 large brown boxes worth), jerseys and many other supplies, and hiring League Cycling Instructors. My living room was beginning to fill up.

All the helmets needed to be unpacked with packaging removed and discarded, then helmets repacked and box labeled.

aka Sacramento Regional Transit Safe Routes to Transit. So .. Sac RT which operates the 3 light rail lines and all bus routes in Sacramento County got a grant to study the safety of people getting to its transit stops. SABA is a community engagement partner which means Deb and/or I need to attend a variety of public workshops in strategic locations. Tonight, Rancho Cordova.

There were high expectations for some of the 85,000 residents of Rancho Cordova to attend and provide feedback. It was well advertised. Ready to engage and get input, there were 8 “staff” people from 5 different agencies and a reporter from Channel 13. Unfortunately, only TWO members of the public attended: one city employee and Dan (being interviewed) who does not live in Rancho but frequently uses bus and light rail.

This community engagement was not a success. Just six more events like this to attend. I’m sure the next one will yield better results. Right?