Fall is in the air and school is back in session. Streets are filled with students of all ages on foot or on bikes, scooters, and skateboards. The kids are getting great exercise and helping keep the air clean but their safety on the way to and from school is not something we can take for granted. This is an excellent time to look at what we each can do to help make Barron Park safer for our young residents.

A quick tour of Barron Park can show many hazards to those moving on their own power. Here are a few:

• overgrown bushes and tree branches jutting into streets
• cars parked several feet onto street pavement
• recycling containers in or near street
• blind curves with overgrowth
• construction dumpsters and materials in parking strips or on street

Tips for Drivers

• Observe the 25 mph speed limit in school zones
• Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists in crosswalks
• Be aware. Young children cannot accurately judge speed and distance.
• Don't park in bike lanes
• Avoid making "U" turns, backing up or other unsafe maneuvers near schools.
• Avoid school areas during school start and end hours (8-8:30 and 2:30-3:00)
• Always carefully check behind you before backing out of driveways. Be extra cautious around stopped school and city buses
• Children are unpredictable. They may do strange actions just as you pass them. Give them lots of room and slow down. This is especially true of bicyclists. They may suddenly swerve to avoid a bump, or just for the fun of it.
• Fall comes with many new cyclists who are unfamiliar with the road or carrying a backpack for the first time. Give them room to make a mistake and live.
• Be extra careful at intersections. Children sometimes may not stop, may not understand the right of way, or may be distracted.

Tips for Property Owners

• Trim overgrown bushes and trees
• Park cars in driveways or well inside parking strips.
• Keep all obstacles off street and ask the same of your guests (cars, recycling bins)
• Provide sight lines around construction site obstacles.

Tips for Parents

• Help your children choose a safe route to school
• Teach children to be predictable, to always cross at corners and to obey stop signs and crossing guards. Walk or bike with them until you are confident they can handle the route safely.
• If you must drive, consider carpooling. Fewer cars mean fewer risks for accidents.
• Always follow the school's posted traffic flows when dropping kids off or picking them up from school

Tips for Pedestrians

• Be alert. Everything is bigger and moving faster than you!
• Be extra cautious around obstacles, shady areas or curves in the roadway. You may not be visible to drivers.
• Make eye contact with drivers at intersections and driveways. Don't assume they see you!
• Wear bright outerwear, especially on overcast days or early mornings to get higher visibility. Consider applying reflector strips to backpacks.

Tips for Bicyclists

• Wear a helmet and make sure it fits properly: snug and level on your head, covering most of your forehead.
• Ride on the right - cyclists riding wrong way are hard for drivers to see
• Be alert. Watch out for cars opening doors, backing out of driveways and making turns
• Stay visible to traffic. Make eye contact with drivers.
• Obey stop signs, traffic lights and other laws.
• Walk bikes in crosswalks.
• Stay off sidewalks or safely share walk-ride areas with pedestrians where sidewalks are not present.
• Do not carry things in hands. Use backpack or basket.
• Avoid riding in valley gutters since these often have debris that can damage tires or cause skids

Tips for Skateboarders, In-Line Skates, and Scooters

• Wear a helmet! See tips for bicyclists and pedestrians.
• Be extra cautious around obstacles, shady areas or curves in the roadway. You may not be visible to drivers.
• Make eye contact with drivers at intersections and driveways. Don't assume they see you!
• Note: skates and scooters should follow pedestrian rules. When sidewalks are present, skaters and scooters should not be in the roadway.