Contact: Xanthi Soriano, Executive Director, Communications
Cell: (916) 261-6219 • Email: xsoriano@scoe.net
Contact: Alicia Williams, Ed.D., Youth Development Programs
Coordinator, SCOE Prevention and Early Intervention
Office: (916) 228-2418 • Email: alicia.williams@scoe.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 23, 2026
Thanks to a new $186,000 grant awarded to the Prevention and Early Intervention Department at the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), students in SCOE’s Friday Night Live Program at seven middle school campuses across Sacramento County will lead program activities to increase bicycle and pedestrian safety.
“Through safety programs and strong partnerships, we are working toward a future where everyone walking and biking in California can travel safely,” said OTS Director Stephanie Dougherty. “By supporting projects that encourage people to prioritize safety in their daily choices, we are creating a strong road safety culture together.”
SCOE has been a recipient of this grant since 2015, and it looks forward to continuing the important countywide project. The goal is to help middle school youth develop attitudes and habits that promote lifelong traffic safety values, building a foundation that helps students make safe decisions when they become teen drivers. SCOE, working with local community partners, will use the grant in its ongoing efforts with the California OTS to increase bicycle helmet compliance for youth (ages 5–18). Funding for the California OTS grant comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and runs through September 2026.
The comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program teaches valuable skills for all types of road users. It includes classroom education, community-based presentations and workshops, plus the distribution and proper fitting of bicycle helmets for students and families in need. Bike “rodeos” and family events throughout the community will encourage safe riding skills. Walking field trips and on-foot safety trainings will also be conducted, giving students an opportunity to practice safe habits with adult supervision.
Students will complete a pre- and post- observational survey, identify safety concerns in their school community, and advocate for changes to be made. They will also educate their peers and families about bicycle and pedestrian safety and helmet use through school-based activities, contests, public service announcements, social media posts, newsletters, and the distribution of safety equipment.
SCOE and its partners have seen positive results from the safety education efforts. Last school year, classroom and community presentations reached more than 1,200 individuals at the seven participating schools and in the community. The program distributed more than 225 helmets at schools and community events, and more than 1,300 students participated in on-foot safety trainings. Survey results also demonstrated that the number of students wearing bicycle helmets at school sites increased, as did safe walking practices.