15 mph speed zones coming soon to Menlo Park schools
Menlo Park is reducing the speed limit to 15 mph in school zones citywide. Streets within a 500-foot radius of a school will now have 15 mph school zones. As part of this effort, crews will install new 15 mph signs during the month of May.
A speed limit reduction near schools will improve student safety and raise awareness among drivers. Speed directly affects crash severity and is often the likely cause of a crash. Just a 5 or 10 mph difference in speed can greatly affect vehicle-stopping distance and reduce injury severity in the chance that pedestrians are struck by a car. The National Association of City Transportation Officials recommends lowering the speed limits for areas near children at play and 20 mph zones to reduce speeds for local roads and urban areas.
The 15 mph zone sign installations will begin near Hillview Middle School and Belle Haven Elementary School. Overall, 15 schools and preschools in Menlo Park will benefit from the speed limit reduction:
- Belle Haven Elementary School
- Encinal Elementary School
- Hillview Middle School
- La Entrada Middle School
- Laurel School Upper Campus
- Littlest Angels Preschool
- Menlo-Atherton Cooperative Nursery School
- Menlo-Atherton High School
- Nativity School
- Menlo Children’s Center
- Menlo School
- Oak Knoll Elementary
- Roberts School
- Sacred Heart Schools
- St. Raymond’s School
As part of Bike Month celebrations, the community is invited look for the new 15 mph signs and to take a picture or selfie. Please send your photos to Menlo Park Safe Routes to School.
From Menlo Updates; used with permission
David Sowerwine May 11, 2021 at 6:08 pm
At all times, day and night? This doesn’t show anything like the usual ‘when occupied by children’.
Brooke B. May 11, 2021 at 7:40 pm
I’m all for safety but this is crazy! If this is enforced you will see total grid lock in some areas of Menlo Park. How did this change get passed? Most cars won’t even idle as low as 15 mph when put into drive.
Richard Vaughan May 12, 2021 at 8:34 am
Slower speeds, more rational drivers are all a good plan. However, Valparaiso and Willow will be difficult to enforce and, yes, traffic will more challenging. Personally, I would like to see more enforcement of the drivers who pull into the bikes lanes to pass on the right. As a cyclist, this is my most dangerous issue. I also think the police should be giving cyclists tickets for running stop signs. We’ve all got to play by the same rules.
Amit P May 22, 2021 at 10:33 pm
This is great. I’m a resident of Gilbert Ave. While Gilbert Ave is listed at 25mph, there are cars going at high speeds of 40-50mph causing serious risk to kids and bikers. Besides the lower 15 mph speeds, Gilbert Ave needs a road center median, dedicated bike lanes, stop signs and a speed bump to calm traffic.