REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
November 18, 2025
FROM
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works - Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
San Bernardino Valley Safe Routes to School Plan
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution accepting the San Bernardino Valley Safe Routes to School Plan as complete, which identifies and prioritizes potential bike and pedestrian improvements within the unincorporated San Bernardino County areas to guide future active transportation grant funding opportunities.
(Presenter: Noel Castillo, Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote the Countywide Vision.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). Approval of this item will assist the County in identifying, prioritizing, and selecting projects for future grant funding opportunities to construct pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure improvements in San Bernardino County.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On March 17, 2022, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced the call-for-projects for Cycle 6 of the Active Transportation Program (ATP) with applications due no later than June 15, 2022. On June 14, 2022, (Item No. 63), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved and authorized the submission of a grant application to Caltrans, in the amount of $500,000 to develop a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Plan for the San Bernardino Valley areas. The proposed Plan would address unincorporated area schools not included in the Regional SRTS Plan previously developed by the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA), which incorporated only a limited number of schools per jurisdiction.
On October 12, 2023, Caltrans notified the Department of Public Works (Department) that the County’s funding request for the Valley SRTS Plan (Plan) had been granted, resulting in a $500,000 grant award. Pursuant to the ATP Cycle 6 grant guidelines, the Board executed Agreement No. 24-124 with Caltrans on February 6, 2024 (Item No. 41), formally accepting the grant funds.
The Plan was developed through an extensive process of public outreach and stakeholder engagement, including community input from local public agencies, school officials, students, parents, and community members. The Plan identifies opportunities for active transportation and pedestrian safety improvements within and between 20 unincorporated Valley school locations, establishing a framework for where and how future projects may be funded and implemented. Adoption of the Plan by the Board is a prerequisite for eligibility to receive future ATP grant funding for specific projects identified within the Plan.
ATPs are required to conform with the California Active Transportation Program guidelines established by the California Transportation Commission. The guidelines provide that a plan must include specified components, including a description of existing and proposed bicycle and pedestrian facilities, community engagement in development of the plan, coordination with neighboring jurisdictions, collision analyses, and a description of destinations served by the plan. The Plan is compliant with the state’s ATP guidelines and does not commit the County to construct or fund any of the proposed projects but does serve to identify potential projects that may be eligible for grant funding.
The County has already adopted active transportation plans for the Morongo Basin and the Rim of the World community. The Department intends to pursue additional grant funding in the next ATP call-for-projects to develop a similar plan for the High Desert area schools.
Approval of this item meets the County’s and the Chief Executive Officer’s goals and objectives of ensuring the development of a well-planned, balanced, and sustainable County and provide for the safety, health and social service needs of county residents.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on October 17, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Kathleen Gonzalez, Administrative Analyst, 387-5412) on October 30, 2025.