ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Florida is taking new steps to protect students who walk and bike to school, a change that means a lot to families near Liberty Pines Academy in St. Johns County.
For years, families in the St. Johns Forest community raised concerns about students commuting through dangerous areas. Now, a new law aims to change that.
Starting July 1, school districts across Florida — including St. Johns County — must provide bus transportation for students living in areas deemed “hazardous” under updated safety standards.
That means parents won’t have to worry about their children walking or biking along busy roads like 9B and St. Johns Parkway.
A stretch of 9B that is part of the walk to school for many students has been the site of multiple crashes, including overturned vehicles just feet from where children walk and bike to school.
The new law defines hazardous conditions as:
- Sidewalks narrower than 4 feet
- Routes adjacent to traffic traveling 50 mph or faster
- Sidewalks without a curb that must now be set back at least 3 feet from the roadway
State Rep. Kim Kendall, who sponsored House Bill 85, said the legislation was necessary after numerous crashes along 9B and St. Johns Parkway.
“It is critical. For the last five years, half of the St. Johns Forest community — students who attend Liberty Pines Academy, a K-8 public school — have had to walk or ride their bikes along a sidewalk adjacent to St. Johns Parkway, where cars have flipped onto the sidewalk within minutes of where the kids walk or bike,” Kendall said.
Parents have long voiced safety concerns.
“I showed other legislators pictures of two specific crashes where cars flipped near students walking and biking. We’ve had Life Flight called to accidents and cars hitting pedestrian pads. There are no guardrails because it’s FDOT’s responsibility to clear accidents off the road, not to protect pedestrians. There’s no crossing guard, making it easy for a child to be taken onto the interstate. The dangers are everywhere you look. I’m grateful the bill passed unanimously,” Kendall added.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law just days ago.
“I’m looking forward to seeing double bus runs again, getting all the kids in St. Johns Forest safely back on the bus this school year. Often, politicians wait for a tragedy before acting, but this time, we chose to be proactive,” Kendall said. “We can’t wait until something happens to a student or an adult walking with their kids. We know this area is dangerous. It’s time to get the kids back on the bus.”
St. Johns County school officials are scheduled to meet Tuesday at 9 a.m. at 40 Orange St. in St. Augustine to discuss transportation plans for the upcoming school year.
