Safe Streets Squad Slides
COMMUNITY RULES OF THE ROAD
SAFETY EXPEDITION
Safe Streets Squad
Essential safety skills, road rules, and split-second decisions for smart walking and biking in your neighborhood.
Walk Alert
Facing traffic
Ride Right
With the flow
Protect Brain
Helmet 2-V-1 fit
No Phones
Eyes & ears open
Core Directional Rules
Which Side of the Road?
RULE #1
On Foot
FACE TRAFFIC
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Use sidewalks whenever they are present and accessible.
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If no sidewalk exists, walk on the far left facing incoming vehicles.
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Why? You can see approaching cars and quickly jump aside if a driver drifts.
💡 Walking = Left Side (facing headlights)
On Wheels
RIDE WITH FLOW
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Bicycles are vehicles: You must follow the exact same directional flow as cars.
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Always ride on the right side in the direction of traffic.
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Why? Drivers turning onto roads only scan left for traffic moving with the flow.
💡 Biking = Right Side (flowing with traffic)
Common Misconception:
Never bike facing traffic! It cuts driver reaction time in half and causes head-on collisions.
Street Crossing Protocols
Cross Smart, Cross Seen
PEDESTRIAN CODE
1
Marked Corners
Cross only at street corners or marked crosswalks. Never dart out from between parked cars where drivers have zero visibility.
Predictable paths
2
Eye Contact Test
Never assume a driver will stop just because the walk sign is on. Look directly at the driver until their wheels make a complete stop.
Confirm they see you
3
Left-Right-Left
Scan Left, scan Right, and scan Left again before stepping off the curb. Keep checking both ways as you walk across the street.
Continuous scanning
Be Bright & Visible
Wear light-colored clothing or reflective gear during dusk, dawn, or cloudy weather.
Attention on the Road
Heads Up, Phones Down
CRITICAL HAZARD
Screen Blindness
Looking down at a screen for just 4 seconds at walking speed means traveling over 15 feet completely blind to oncoming vehicles or driveway turners.
• Stop and pull completely off the walkway before checking any message.
Headphone Blindspot
Noise-canceling earbuds block vital audio cues: quiet hybrid/electric engines, reversing beepers, emergency sirens, and approaching cyclists calling out warnings.
• Keep at least one ear uncovered or leave earbuds in your bag while traveling.
🚫
Never ride with hands off handlebars or while texting
100% Focus Required
Bicycle Equipment Safety
The Helmet Habit: 2-V-1 Test
BRAIN DEFENSE
Wearing a properly fitted helmet reduces the risk of serious brain injury by up to 85%.
2
Fingers Above Brows
The helmet rim must sit level across your forehead, exactly 1 to 2 finger-widths above your eyebrows. Never tilted backward!
Forehead protected
V
Side Straps Under Ears
Adjust the side sliders so the straps form a tight “V” shape directly underneath each earlobe without twisting.
Snug side balance
1
Finger Chin Buckle
Buckle the strap securely. No more than 1 finger should slide between your chin and the strap. Yawn to feel it pull down firmly!
Locked in place
Every ride, every time: skateboard, scooter, or bicycle. Replace helmet after any significant crash!
Cyclist Responsibilities
Bikes Are Vehicles: Street Rules
ROAD RULES
Obey Signs & Signals
Stop signs mean a full foot-down stop, not a slow roll. Red lights apply to bikes exactly as they do to cars and trucks.
Ride in a Straight Line
Don’t weave between parked cars. Maintain a steady, predictable straight line at least 3-4 feet away from car doors that could suddenly swing open.
Single File in Groups
Never ride three or four abreast across a street. Ride single file so vehicles have safe space to pass without tailgating or swerving.
Yield to Pedestrians
When riding on multi-use pathways or sidewalks where permitted, always slow down and yield right-of-way to people walking.
Door Zone Caution: Watch for silhouettes inside parked cars to avoid opening driver doors!
Cyclist Communication
Bike Hand Signals
ARM SIGNALS
Left Turn
Extend your left arm straight out horizontally to the side, pointing clearly in the direction you plan to turn.
Left arm straight out
Right Turn
Bend your left arm upward at 90° (or extend your right arm straight out horizontally).
Left arm bent up 90°
Stopping / Slowing
Extend your left arm downward at 90° with your palm open facing behind you to alert trailing cars.
Left arm bent down 90°
Voice & Bell Courtesy:
Always call out “Passing on your left!” or ring your bell well before passing someone on a path.
Scenario Investigation 1
The Blind Driveway Rush
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Neighborhood Sidewalk • 4:15 PM
Jordan is riding their bike home on the sidewalk as fast as possible to make dinner. The street has thick, 7-foot tall evergreen hedges bordering every driveway. An SUV with dark tinted windows is slowly backing down a steep driveway.
Hazard Factors:
• Driver cannot see Jordan past the tall hedges.
• Jordan is moving too fast to brake in time.
Squad Analysis:
1. The Immediate Action:
Slow down immediately, cover brake levers, and stop before the driveway apron.
2. Driver Assumption Rule:
Assume the driver has zero visibility. Wait until the vehicle stops or reverses completely.
Discuss: Why is sidewalk biking often more hazardous at driveways than street riding?
Class Prompt: Turn and talk with your partner for 60 seconds on Jordan’s safest move.
Scenario Investigation 2
The Mid-Block Shortcut
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Main Street • Heavy After-School Traffic
Elena is walking with noise-canceling headphones listening to music. She sees her friends across the street at the convenience store. The marked signal crosswalk is 40 yards down the road. Instead, Elena cuts between two large parked delivery vans to cross mid-block.
Multiple Violations:
• Obstructed view from parked delivery vans.
• Complete auditory isolation from headphones.
Squad Analysis:
1. Remove the Hazard:
Remove headphones or pull one ear free so ambient street sounds can be heard.
2. Walk the 40 Yards:
Always take the extra 30 seconds to reach the marked crosswalk and activate the pedestrian signal.
Discuss: Why is saving 30 seconds never worth risking a blind mid-block crossing?
Class Prompt: What unexpected dangers lurk between parked cars? (Delivery trucks rolling, reversing, etc.)
Commitment to Safety
The Safe Streets Squad Pledge
OFFICIAL CODE
1
Brain First: I will always wear and properly buckle my helmet (2-V-1 test) every time I roll.
2
Heads Up: I will stash my phone and keep ears alert when walking or riding near traffic.
3
Correct Direction: I will walk facing traffic on roads, and bike on the right with the flow.
4
Clear Signals: I will use hand signals, call out warnings, and make direct eye contact with drivers.
5
Never Assume: I will only cross when drivers come to a complete, visible stop.
Ready for Action: Complete your Navigator Worksheet!
Be Alert • Be Seen • Be Safe
Street Navigator Worksheet
Safe Streets Squad • Community Safety Unit Student Navigator Guide
Rules of the Road: Navigator Worksheet
Name:
Date:
Class:
Part 1: Which Side of the Road? (Fill in the blanks)
Pedestrians (Walking on road with no sidewalk)
1. You must walk on the side, oncoming traffic.
Why?
Cyclists (Riding on the street)
2. You must ride on the side, the flow of traffic.
Why?
Part 2: The “2-V-1” Helmet Fit Check
Explain what each component of the 2-V-1 rule requires to ensure your brain is fully protected:
2 Two Fingers
Placement on forehead:
V V-Shape Straps
Position around ears:
1 One Finger
Fit under chin buckle:
Part 3: Deciphering Bike Hand Signals
Write the correct action (Left Turn, Right Turn, Stop / Slowing Down) beneath each description:
Left arm extended straight out horizontally from the shoulder.
Left arm bent upward at a 90-degree angle (or right arm extended straight).
Left arm bent downward at a 90-degree angle with palm facing backwards.
Part 4: Eyes Up, Ears Open (Critical Thinking)
1. Why is looking down at a cell phone screen while walking or biking significantly more dangerous than walking while talking to a friend beside you?
2. List two critical street sounds you would completely miss if both ears are covered with noise-canceling headphones:
Safe Streets Squad • Rules of the Road Page 1 of 2
Community Incident Investigations Applied Practice
Part 5: Street Scenario Investigations
Read each real-world situation carefully, analyze the danger points, and write the required safe action plan.
Case 1: Wheels
Marcus’s Dusk Commute
6:45 PM • Sunset / Low Visibility
Marcus is riding his dark-colored bicycle home from soccer practice at twilight wearing a dark hoodie. He doesn't have lights or reflectors on his bike. Approaching a four-way stop intersection, he notices no headlights and rolls directly through the stop sign at 12 mph without tapping his brakes.
A. Identify two major safety violations in Marcus’s setup and riding behavior:
B. Safe Action Plan: What must Marcus do at this intersection, and what equipment should he add before riding at dusk?
Case 2: Walking
Chloe’s Mid-Block Rush
3:20 PM • School Dismissal Traffic
Chloe is walking home with both earbuds in, texting a group chat. She needs to cross an active 2-lane road with parked delivery vans along both curbs. Rather than walking 50 yards to the pedestrian crosswalk with push-button signals, she steps between two parked vans to sprint across.
Safe Streets Facilitator Guide
Safe Streets Squad • Educator Resource Teacher Facilitation Guide
Rules of the Road: Lesson Plan
Grades 4–8 • 45–60 Minutes
Core Objectives
• Contrast directional rules for walking vs. biking.
• Master the 2-V-1 helmet fit test.
• Identify screen & headphone blindspots.
• Demonstrate 3 standard bike hand signals.
Suggested Pacing
00–08 min: Hook & Street Dilemma
08–25 min: Slide Instruction & Signals
25–45 min: Partner Scenario Analysis
45–55 min: Debrief & Squad Pledge
Materials Needed
• Safe Streets Squad Slides
• Student Navigator Worksheets (printed)
• 1 sample bicycle helmet for live demo
• Pencils / highlighters
Slide-by-Slide Facilitation & Discussion Prompts
Slides 1–2: Directional Rules (Walking vs. Biking) Key Concept
Teacher Talk: Emphasize the distinct legal status: “A pedestrian walks facing traffic so you can see a drifting car coming. But a cyclist is legally a vehicle driver, so you ride with the flow of traffic on the right.”
⚠️ Common Misconception: Many students think biking against traffic is safer “to see cars.” Explain that head-on closing speeds double crash severity and turning drivers never scan the wrong side.
Slides 3–4: Pedestrian Crossing & The Distraction Trap Behavioral Safety
Eye Contact Rule: Ask the class: “Just because the pedestrian light is illuminated, does that guarantee cars will stop?” Highlight right-turning drivers who only look left.
The 4-Second Test: Have students close eyes for 4 seconds while you clap out 15 steps. This powerfully illustrates how far someone moves completely unaware.
Slides 5–7: The 2-V-1 Helmet Test & Bike Signals Kinesthetic Practice
Physical Demo: Demonstrate 2 fingers above eyebrows, V-straps below ears, 1 finger under chin. Have all students mimic the 3 hand signals with their left arms (straight left, 90° up for right, 90° down for stop).
Slides 8–10: Scenario Analysis & Squad Commitment Partner Collaboration
Transition students into pairs to tackle the Street Navigator Worksheet. Allow 15 minutes of collaborative analysis before reviewing exemplary answers as a whole group.
Safe Streets Squad • Facilitation Guide Page 1 of 2
Answer Key • Assessment Guidelines Complete Solutions
