Safe Routes to School Getting Started Locally Safe Routes to School A resource provided by the Safe Routes to School National Partnership Initial funding has been provided by Bikes Belong Coalition Safe Routes to School

Safe Routes to School Safe Routes to School programs seek to make it safe, convenient and fun for children to walk and bike to school.

The Need for Safe Routes In 1969 roughly half of all children walked or biked to school. Today, only about 15 percent walk or bike. There are more than three times as many overweight children today as there were 25 years ago. As much as 20 to 30% of morning rush hour traffic can be parents driving children to schools.

Educational Benefits Studies have shown that increased physical activity for children: Increases concentration Improves mood and ability to be alert Improves memory and learning Enhances creativity

Forming a “Team” It’s important to involve diverse stakeholders to create and implement your local Safe Routes to School Program including: Parents and children School staff and PTAs Government staff (the road authority, law enforcement and health professionals) Elected officials Neighbors and businesses Non-profit organizations

The 5 E’s Evaluation Encouragement Education Engineering Enforcement The most successful Safe Routes to School Programs focus on all 5 E’s through the creation of a Safe Routes to School Transportation Program that includes: Evaluation Encouragement Education Engineering Enforcement

Evaluation It’s important throughout the process to monitor and research trends and outcomes through the collection of data related to travel modes, attitudes, distance from school, collision data, etc.

Encouragement Special events (such as Walk and Roll to School Days) Contests Newsletters Banners Posters Media attention Walking School Buses and Bike Trains

Education Traffic safety skills Health education Environmental education On-the-bike trainings Safe driving campaigns

Engineering Sidewalks Bike lanes and paths Trails Traffic calming Use community feedback and work with city engineers to create plans to improve and build: Sidewalks Bike lanes and paths Trails Traffic calming Safer crossings

Enforcement Partner with local law enforcement to ensure that drivers obey traffic laws. Initiate community enforcement such as crossing guard programs.

Funding for Your Program The federal transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU, guarantees that each state has at least $1 million/year for Safe Routes to School programs through 2009. Contact your State Department of Transportation for details.

Important Links Safe Routes to School National Partnership http://saferoutespartnership.org National Center for Safe Routes to School http://saferoutesinfo.org

How-To Guidebook Download a copy of the “Safe Routes to School Toolkit” so that your “Team” can get started developing your local program: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/bike/Safe-Routes-2002/

Good Luck! Safe Routes to School makes transportation fun, and can improve traffic congestion, air quality, children’s health and the livability of your community. You can do it!