Posted by Another Gatetree Resident, a resident of the Pleasanton Valley neighborhood, on Sep 21, 2009 at 9:43 am

See Jenny's post in the "Expect traffic jams on Foothill Road this morning as high school closes senior student parking lot" thread. A school bus system would eliminate a lot of problems.

Posted by Alex, a resident of another community, on Sep 21, 2009 at 9:46 am

And the money for these buses comes from...

Posted by Another Gatetree Resident, a resident of the Pleasanton Valley neighborhood, on Sep 21, 2009 at 2:23 pm

Alex -- You just made my point. NOTHING will please Pleasanton and the people that inhabit the city. They gripe about "school" traffic, but won't settle for perhaps being taxed to cover the cost.

It really doesn't matter though. The District would never re-institute any plan to bus students due to the potential for being sued by a parent should one of the bus drivers have an accident with their Pleasanton-perfect kids on board.

Posted by Alex, a resident of another community, on Sep 21, 2009 at 3:33 pm

Another--I'm with ya on all of your points.

Posted by whathappened, a member of the Vintage Hills Elementary School community, on Sep 21, 2009 at 10:11 pm

yes we should all be careful, but in this case the bike hit the car. . why was the cyclist risking their life and the driver who may have swerved to avoid him/her and hit someone waiting at the corner?

My suggestion is to periodically stop all cars at school intersections like this one and let the people on foot cross all ways at once for safety.

Posted by PToWN94566, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Sep 21, 2009 at 11:49 pm
PToWN94566 is a member (registered user) of PleasantonWeekly.com

Having a busing system would help to elevate the problem but it would never solve the complete problem. When I first started school here in Pleasanton, buses where in use. Some years later they discontinued them. It's interesting to note tough, that some schools (maybe all of them) will always have congestion no matter what. Some students prefer to walk to school, as riding in a car or taking a bus is out of the question since the student may live close enough. I get a feeling that people who are asking for a bus system also haven't thought about how buses may impact the school parking lot; what would you say on a day when you have to pick your child and the bus is blocking you because of the "STOP" sign that is sticking out? Or what about for the families that would use the bus system but then turn around some time later and complain that the bus doesn't stop close enough to my house?

There is no great solution except for working with what we have. People need to learn to be patient and realize that some days people are running late or may be in a bad mood. No need to constantly get our panties in a bunch- as long as the child gets to school safely, I think that's all that should matter.

Posted by SteveP, a resident of the Parkside neighborhood, on Sep 22, 2009 at 10:59 am
SteveP is a member (registered user) of PleasantonWeekly.com

Go the Wheels bus website: Web Link

There's lots of routes that go past Pleasanotn schools. My kids both ride the bus from Parkside to Foothill High daily.

And, despite Another Gatetree Residents claim that "They gripe about "school" traffic, but won't settle for perhaps being taxed to cover the cost."

#1-who's griping? Wheels is a great bus service that has been available for years---it's not a secret...go check it out.

#2-why would you possibly think taxing people is a good option that anyone would support?

Sure, it's an easy way out for you to spread the cost of carting your kids about, but why should anyone but you pay for that priviledge?

Take some responsibility for resolving the situation and it's cost on your own, now that I've provided you with the link to Wheels.

Don't wait for the gov't to solve your issue with other people's money. They can't run anything efficiently and have no accountability.

You're welcome....no charge.

Posted by Linda, a resident of the Amador Estates neighborhood, on Sep 22, 2009 at 11:30 am

I thought that bike riders by law are to dismount from their bikes and walk them across the crosswalk? True or no?

Posted by a reader, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Sep 22, 2009 at 1:02 pm

"-why would you possibly think taxing people is a good option that anyone would support? "

Where does this come from?

"Don't wait for the gov't to solve your issue with other people's money. They can't run anything efficiently and have no accountability."

Then you say.

"Go the Wheels bus website: Web Link

There's lots of routes that go past Pleasanotn schools. My kids both ride the bus from Parkside to Foothill High daily."

Wheels Bus is funded by taxes. It is a government thing.

Posted by Curious, a resident of the Del Prado neighborhood, on Sep 22, 2009 at 4:03 pm

Ouch, that's going to leave a mark.

Thank you "a reader", that made my day. Well played.

Posted by A Local, a resident of the Del Prado neighborhood, on Sep 22, 2009 at 4:48 pm

As a homeowner AND being employed within P-Town, I see a LOT of traffic come 8am or 3:30 - ALL of it, soccor parents doing the drop-off/pick-up thing! Every school is overloaded with SUV's and Vans.

#1 - You know, you could expense the cost of a bus for all the carbon footprint out there at these hours! Especially all those idling there with air conditioners let alone the mileage of a cold engine on an SUV or Van.

#2 - And, I agree that a more efficent crossing system would allow 'stop in all directions' while foot traffic was allow to cross in all directions. It works well in congested downtown areas - why not a congested school area? I'ts just a little programming of the lights!

#3 Finally, our new leader (no ploitical notes please) wants to reinstitute the physical exercise of the Kennedy era - why not start by having the kids 'walk' to school?! What's wrong with that? People in the city walk a lot but here in the suburbs - NOT!....'comon kids, put those new sneakers and bicycle to work and lose a fewe pounds!...

Posted by Chris, a member of the Amador Valley High School community, on Sep 22, 2009 at 9:34 pm

It was another paper that reported that the bike hit the car and not the other way around as the original poster stated.

Posted by Afterthought, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Sep 22, 2009 at 11:43 pm

To "A Local (Nutjob)" Carbon footprint? Are you f&%$@!g kidding me?

Leave your left leaning views for something that actually has a political bend to it please. Not only is the whole "global warming" hoax the biggest charade ever perpetuated on the public (oh btw they're already calling it "climate change" due to 5+ years of colder than normal temps) but it has come to be a catch all phrase for every ailment that society faces these days.

Posted by Another Gatetree Resident, a resident of the Pleasanton Valley neighborhood, on Sep 23, 2009 at 7:32 am

SteveP -- Read thru this entire board. The topic of traffic related to schools and parent drop-offs has been discussed before. Thus my comment of "gripe."

Second, Wheels is a great option. Unfortunately, few parents use the option. Kudos to you for thinking beyond the end of your nose.

Posted by Qwerty, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Sep 23, 2009 at 9:21 am

I would like to see more students wearing bike helmets when they are riding to school. In addition, those who wear helmets should have them positioned properly. Too many students either aren't wearing helmets or have them pushed back on their heads.

Posted by Sally, a resident of the Civic Square neighborhood, on Sep 23, 2009 at 9:46 am

THE SCHOOL ADMIN FOR THOSE TWO PARTICULAR SCHOOLS NEED TO HAVE REMINDER NOTICES OR EMAILS GO OUT TO THE PARENTS AND THE STUDENTS ON SAFE JOURNEYS TO AND FROM SCHOOL. REMINDERS ARE GOOD.

Posted by PtownParent, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Sep 23, 2009 at 5:26 pm

There is no easy solution to the traffic problem at drop-off and pick-up time. EVERYONE needs to be extra careful and simply just follow the rules! Several students on the BMX type of bikes raced out of Foothill High school, downhill toward Laguna Oaks, none of them wearing helmets, and riding against traffic, on the very narrow roadside. As a parent I was AMAZED none of them were hit! Guys, at least wear a helmet...you might have a chance of survival!

Posted by Concerned Citizen, a resident of the California Reflections neighborhood, on Sep 24, 2009 at 8:44 am

My children used to attend Alisal a few years ago, and now attend Harvest Park & Amador. They used to ride their bikes everyday to school while in 5th grade. We had another incident of a child hit in the same intersection near the post office, off Black Ave, a few years back. That driver did NOT stop and the child told his teacher what happened to him. Fortunately, he wasn't seriously injured, merely shook up. I'd hate to speculate what COULD have happened to either of these children. Although I cannot drive my children to school in the mornings, and they use alternate means to get to school, I am able to pick them up after school and I myself have also witnessed many many close calls, after school, with children on bikes, skateboards, scooters, and walking. My older child now walks to Amador & my younger child now takes the bus to HP. I believe we all, as drivers, need to just be more aware of children/adults/pedestrians/dog walkers crossing streets, irregardless of whoever is at fault. Being alert, cautious, aware, and less rushed, is little to ask for when it comes to the safety of the children/adults of our town. Better to be safe than sorry.