SR2S Micro-Grant Program

What are the Benefits?

Launched in fiscal year 2019-2020, the Solano SR2S Micro-Grant Pilot Program funded 14 small-scale bike and pedestrian projects to increase safety and encourage more students to walk and bike to school in Solano County.

In June 2021, the application period opened for Cycle 2, with $130,000 in funding available. Sixteen projects were awarded funding for infrastructure improvements, walk and bike safety equipment and incentives.

Based on feedback from Solano County cities and schools, the Solano SR2S Program launched the SR2S Micro-Grant Pilot Program in fiscal year 2019-2020 to fund small-scale bike and pedestrian projects and programs that encourage walking and biking and improve safety around schools.

The Pilot Program funded 14 projects in 2020, including radar feedback signs, bike and scooter racks, safety signage and equipment, high visibility crosswalk improvements, bike corral fencing and scooter storage, and walking and biking incentives. (See projects below).

Building on the program’s success, SR2S has secured $130,000 in funding for Cycle 2 of the Micro-Grant Program. On September 8, 2021 the STA Board approved funding for 16 projects.

The SR2S Micro Grant Cycle 2 Awardees are:

Bike Vallejo: Bike safety signage and incentives
City of Benicia: Crossing improvements at E 2nd Street and Riverhill/Augustine Dr.
City of Vacaville: Radar feedback signs
City of Vallejo: Crossing improvements at Dan Mini Elementary
Cooper Elementary (Vacaville): Walk and bike program incentives
Dan Mini Elementary (Vallejo): Walk and bike safety improvements
David Weir Prep Academy (Fairfield): Walk and bike safety equipment and incentives
DH White Elementary (Rio Vista): Walk and bike incentives

Dixon Montessori Charter School (Dixon): Bike safety equipment and scooter racks
Fairmont Charter School (Vacaville): Safety equipment and incentives
Knight Middle School (Dixon): Skateboard and scooter racks
Loma Vista Envrionmental Science Acad. (Vallejo): Road striping and signage improvements
Mare Island Health and Fitness Acad. (Vallejo): Bike racks, walk and bike incentives
St. Basil’s School PAC (Vallejo): Sidewalk improvements
Suisun City Youth Commission (Suisun City): Walk to School Day event and incentives
UPNATM (Fairfield-Suisun): Bike safety equipment and incentives

Completed Cycle 1 Micro Grant Projects by City

Benicia

Joe Henderson Elementary

Joe Henderson Elementary School PTO applied for funding to improve the crossing at Hastings and Sweetbrier. Funding was awarded for the purchase of a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB), these warning lights aid in alerting drivers to the presence of pedestrians in the crosswalk. This project was completed in February 2021, concurrently with additional improvements as part of a larger Safe Routes to School Project. The additional improvements included widening the sidewalk north of the driveway, ADA curb ramps and accessibility.

Dixon

Dixon Montessori Charter School

Dixon Montessori was awarded safety equipment and incentive items for a new drop-off and pick-up plan and their weekly Walk or Wheel (WOW) Wednesday program.

Rio Vista

Riverview Middle School

Riverview Middle School received funding to construct a fenced bike corral to keep students’ bikes and scooters safe during the school day. (click on photo to view larger).

Students’ comments on the project:
Blake – I always ride my bike. It’s a lot faster and cheaper and works better for my family. My parents are really busy. It’s an easier way for me to get to school on my own. It makes me feel safer putting my bike in there. I left my bike accidentally at school overnight last year and it was stolen. So I’m glad it will be locked up now. I may ride my skateboard now too.

Levi – I usually take the bus, but with coronavirus, it will be easier to take my long board or bike. I’m always worried about it being taken from school. The gated area will be locked. That’s nice.

Vacaville

Browns Valley Elementary

Browns Valley Elementary PTO was awarded funding to purchase 4 scooter racks for students that ride to school. These racks were purchased in the Spring of 2021 and were installed a week prior to students returning to in person classes. Two racks were installed by the lower grade classrooms and two were installed by the upper grade classes. This placement allows students to ride to school and park their scooters close to their classrooms.

Ellie Steed, in the 2nd grade says, “Last year, if I rode my scooter I had to lay it on the ground by the bike racks. I like the little scooter racks because now all the second graders can park by our class and it’s easier to ride your scooter to school.”

Kairos Public Schools

Kairos Public Schools (Vacaville) received safety equipment for their existing drop-off an pick-up program including high visibility signage for crosswalks around the school. The school will be using incentives received for a new walking program and pedometers for use in PE classes.

Radar Feedback Signs

The City of Vacaville completed the installation of 5 Radar Feedback Signs at Browns Valley, Callison, and Cambridge Elementary schools in early August 2020. (click on photo to view larger)

Vaca Pena Middle School

Vaca Pena Middle School in Vacaville completed the installation of locking scooter/skateboard racks and bicycle tire pump, encouraging more students to ride to school.
“With our ever changing world and families with challenging work schedules, now more than ever I believe that our students will be utilizing bikes, scooters and skateboards to attend school once we begin our in-person learning in the upcoming weeks. “ – Principal C. Moe

Sierra Vista K-8 School

Sierra Vista received walk and bike incentive items to support their Healthy Sierra Vista initiative when students return to campus
“Creating a healthy environment for all the students at our school is exactly what we, as a PTC, are aiming to do.” – Sierra Vista K-8 PTC President

Vallejo

Dan Mini Elementary and Everest Academy received safety equipment for high traffic Drop-off and Pick-up times.

Dan Mini Elementary also received walking program incentives and bike safety equipment to help students get to school safely by skipping the car ride, these items included bike helmets, bike locks, and small bike repair kits.

Riverview Middle School Micro Grant Project

Riverview Middle School in Rio Vista used its funding for a project to secure students’ bikes and scooters. “Riding bikes, scooters and skateboards is an easy, economical, and environmentally-friendly way for (our) students to get to school,” said Marci Rossi, principal. “With our new gated area, students are excited to ride their bikes to campus and not worry about their bikes being safe.”

Micro Grant Project Awards Cycle 1

Micro-Grant Project Awards: Cycle 1 (2020)
The Safe Routes to School Program received 16 grant applications totaling $211,466 in funding requests, exceeding the amount of available funds. Due to the strong interest to fund smaller scale projects, staff is planning to recommend continuing the program next fiscal year. Below is the list of projects awarded funding:

City of Vacaville: radar feedback signs
City of Vallejo: radar feedback signs
Browns Valley Elementary (Vacaville): bike and scooter racks
Dan Mini Elementary (Vallejo): safety signage and equipment, walk/bike incentives
Dixon Montessori Charter School (Dixon): safety signage and equipment, walk/bike incentives
Everest Academy (Vallejo): safety equipment, walk/bike incentives
Joe Henderson Elementary (Benicia): high visibility crosswalk improvements
Kairos Public Schools (Vacaville): safety signage and equipment, walk/bike incentives
Knight Middle School (Dixon): bike racks
Mary Farmar Elementary (Benicia): safety signage and equipment
Riverview Middle School (Rio Vista): bike corral fencing and scooter storage
Sierra Vista K-8 (Vacaville): incentives promoting physical activity events
Solano-Widenmann K-8 (Vallejo): walk/bike incentives
Vaca Pena Middle School (Vacaville): scooter racks and air pump