Presentation to Beloit SRTS Taskforce Wednesday February 1, 2012 Safe Route to School (SRTS) Program

Safe Routes to School Program

Why Safe Routes to School?

Physical Activity Most children are not getting the physical activity they need

Physical activity recommendation for children: At least 60 minutes of physical activity on most, preferably all, days of the week. (US Depts. Of Health and Human Services and Agriculture, 2005)

Fewer children are biking and walking. More parents are driving % walked % walked (CDC, 2005)

Individual barriers to walking and biking to school Long distances 62% Traffic danger 30% Adverse weather 19% Fear of crime danger 12% (CDC, 2005)

It’s not just the distance

Traffic danger

Conditions make it hard to walk or bike

Adverse weather

Fear of crime danger Both perceptions and realities. Some low probability events provoke the greatest fears. Communities are finding ways to safeguard against these fears.

Difficult community issues Traffic flow problems Students crossing in front of traffic Backed up traffic Neighborhood safety No sidewalks Hazardous crossing

Safe Routes to School Programs Make walking and biking safe ways to get to school Encourage more children to walk or bike to school

Creating an SRTS Program Involve the entire community Form a committee Collect data Map your community Analyze problems Identify projects that are needed Develop a plan Evaluate, make needed changes and keep moving forward

Elements of an SRTS Program Education Enforcement Encouragement Engineering Evaluation

Education Teaching safety skills Creating safety awareness Fostering life-long safety habits Include parents, neighbors, and other drivers

Enforcement Increasing awareness of pedestrians and bicyclists Improving driver behavior Helping children follow traffic rules Decreasing parent perceptions of danger

Encouragement Increasing popularity of walking and biking is an easy to start SRTS programs. Emphasizes fun of walking and biking

Engineering Traffic calming and speed reduction improvements Pedestrian and bike crossing improvements On-street bike facilities Off-street bike and pedestrian facilities Secure bike parking facilities

Desired outcomes of the SRTS program include: Increased bicycle, pedestrian, and traffic safety More children walking and biking to and from school Improved community safety Improved air quality Enhanced community accessibility Increase community involvement Improved partnerships among schools, local municipalities, parents, and other community groups Encouragement of healthy and active lifestyles

Next Steps…

Join the SRTS Taskforce Only 2 meetings left: Wednesday February 22 from 4 – Kolak in the Boardroom Wednesday February 29 from Kolak in Room 202 Complete the survey on the salmon sheet or the orange sheet if you have walked or biked in this community If you are a parent take the parent survey online on our website BaseType=4 BaseType=4 Be a part of the community input session

Questions? For more information: Please visit our website or call