Umbrellas- A classic and simple rain solution! Umbrellas are great for walking trips and come in all sizes for kids and adults. Look for sturdy, wind-resistant options and bright colors or reflective details for visibility on darker days.

Where to find them: Local grocery stores, pharmacies, dollar stores, big-box stores, and outdoor retailers.

Rain Boots- Waterproof or water-resistant boots help keep feet warm and dry when splashing through puddles or damp sidewalks. For kids, boots that are easy to pull on and off make rainy mornings much smoother.

Where to find them: Shoe stores, outdoor retailers, department stores, secondhand shops, and online retailers.

Rain Jacket & Pants- A lightweight rain jacket with a hood helps block wind and rain while still allowing freedom of movement. Rain pants are especially helpful for longer walks or school commutes, keeping clothes underneath dry and comfortable.

Where to find them: Outdoor retailers, sporting goods stores, department stores, thrift shops, and online.

Backpack Cover- A waterproof backpack cover keeps books, lunches, and extra clothes dry. Many covers come with reflective elements, adding an extra layer of safety and visibility.

Where to find them: Outdoor retailers, bike shops, online retailers, and some sporting goods stores.

Fenders- Fenders are a game-changer for rainy bike rides. They prevent water and mud from splashing up onto clothes, backpacks, and faces—making biking in the rain much more pleasant and practical for everyday trips.

Where to find them: Local bike shops, community bike co-ops, and online bike retailers. Bike shops can also help with installation.

Poncho- Just like with walking, bike ponchos are a great rain solution. Bike-specific ponchos are designed to drape over the handlebars, keeping both the rider and their legs dry while allowing air to circulate underneath.

Where to find them: Bike shops, outdoor retailers, and online cycling stores.

Coming Up Next Month- Q&A with SCC Traffic Deputies

We're excited to announce that our February Safe Routes to School meeting will again feature an extended question and answer session with the Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff's Traffic Unit Enforcement Division. This will be our second year welcoming the deputies for Q&A as last year was a great success. This is your chance to connect with and ask questions of your local traffic deputies. The session will take place at our Working Group Meeting on February 11, from approximately 4 - 4:30pm. Questions must be traffic-related and submitted in advance. Start thinking about your questions and submit them by next month!

Submit your questions to SafeRoutes@Cupertino.gov by 5pm PST on Sunday, February 8. 

Reminder- Mineta Institute Contest Still Open

The Mineta Transportation Institute at San José State University offers opportunities for students to explore the benefits and challenges of electric bicycles (e-bikes) and to promote safe riding and travel practices.

2025-2026 MTI Essay Contest (Grades 6-12)  

Ride On, Ride Safe—E-Bike Style! Students enrolled in U.S. public, private, or home schools are invited to submit an essay responding to one of four prompts on e-bike safety, licensing, age requirements, school education, or rules for micro-mobility. Each winner will also receive a certificate of achievement.

• Download the information and essay prompt.
• Submission Deadline: February 2, 2026

Mindful Driving Tip- Spot the Backpack!

Your mindful driving challenge for January is to play Spot the Backpack on your way to school.

The holidays are almost over and we’ll soon be back at school and work. This month’s challenge is a game designed to snap us out of our post-Holidays fog and back to the here and now before something unforgivable happens. The rules to Spot the Backpack: everyone in the car picks a different color as they get in the car and buckle up. Then you watch for anyone wearing that color backpack on the way to school. When you spot one in your color, you get to yell “spotted.”

Check out Cupertino’s Back to School page for more tips and resources on getting to school safely.

Orange Ave Construction -

Construction continues on Orange Avenue to remove existing utility poles in the roadway and install new ones along the sidewalks. This project is expected to continue through summer 2026. During this period, there may be reduced parking and possible delays for anyone traveling on Orange Avenue, including parents and students commuting to and from school. We strongly encourage families to plan ahead and consider using alternative routes such as Byrne Avenue or Bubb Road whenever possible. Residents adjacent to the construction zones have been notified.

Stevens Creek Protected Bike Lane Phase 2A-

The Stevens Creek Boulevard Protected Bike Lane Phase 2A Project is scheduled to begin construction in January.  This project extends the existing concrete buffer-protected bike lanes along Stevens Creek Boulevard from Wolfe Road to De Anza Boulevard.  To further enhance safety, bicycles will have their own dedicated traffic signal phase while crossing De Anza Boulevard from the east and Wolfe Road from the west.  As with the bicycle signal phase at Wolfe Road and Finch Avenue installed in Phase 1, vehicles turning right from Stevens Creek Boulevard will not be allowed to turn when a bicycle is in the intersection.