2. Active transportation is good for kids. Walk or bike to school for exercise Improves academic performance It’s a wellness initiative that happens before/after school. Leads to a lifelong healthy habit of using “active” transportation.

3. Walking is good for us! Walking 30 minutes per day can: Decrease your chance of getting diabetes by 50% Decrease your chance of getting cancer and help you recover more quickly Decrease risk of heart disease and stroke

4. The Benefits of Bicycling The average adult loses 13 pounds in their first year of commuting by bicycle 3 hours per week of bicycling can reduce your risk of heart disease by 50%

5. Things have changed….

6. Past & Present: Bike/Walk to School Rates In 1969, 50% of kids walked or biked to school. Today, it’s 5% to13%. In 1969, 89% of kids within one mile of school walked or biked to school. Today, 35% of kids within one mile of school walk or bike. Personal vehicle vs. the school bus

7. Why does this matter?

8. Our Children’s Health Obesity - Colorado has one of the fastest growing rates of childhood obesity and associated diseases such as diabetes. Exercise - Half of our kids don’t get enough. Air pollution and asthma - Front Range has ozone levels 5 times the national target. Our children’s life span

9. The Environment Motor vehicle use is the source of more air pollution than any other single human activity. Driving is the biggest contributor to increased greenhouse gases. Oil reserves are depleting.

10. Safety Cars accidents are the #1 cause of death and serious injury of children. 50% of kids hit by cars near school are hit by parents of other students. Less cars = less congestion = safer routes to school.

11. Cultural In America, we spend a lot of time in cars.

12. “We need to change the habits of an entire generation.” -Congressman Oberstar, SRTS champion

13. Safe Routes to School (SRTS) National initiative Goal – reverse the decline in kids walking and biking to school. Objectives - increase physical activity & safety, reduce traffic & decrease greenhouse gas emissions and create healthier, more livable communities. The Five E’s - Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, Engineering & Evaluation

14. Bike & Walk to School Program: Goals Every student within 1 mile walks Every student within 2 miles bikes Every student has the chance to explore the benefits and joys of active transportation.

15. How do we meet these goals? Make it easy, safe, accessible, rewarding & fun!

16. Arlo’s Walking School Bus

17. Encouragement Fun - Celebrate Bike/Walk to School Days (including National Bike to School Day and International Walk to School Day) Instill habits – Walkin’ and Wheelin’ Wednesdays; Frequent Biker/Walker Program (punch cards) Reward - Frequent Biker/Walker Program Acknowledge – student profiles; bulletin board Include - remote drop-off, bike trains, walking school buses

18. Frequent Biker/Walker Program

19. Education & Engineering (Safety) Bike/Ped Safety Ed in P.E. After-school Bike Club Strap-n-Snap (3rd grade) Parent Communications No Idling Campaign Enforcement & Traffic Calming Bike Trains & Walking School Buses

20. Elements of a Successful Bike and Walk to School Program In-school leader (parent and/or teacher champions) Activities that reinforce biking/walking Supportive school policies/Principal’s blessing Parent/PTO support $$$ from the Wellness Committee

21. How to get started…. Form a committee & hold a kick-off meeting Invite biking families & the Wellness Committee Start small: commit to 1-2 initiatives Develop a budget; seek funds (PTO/Wellness) Brand yourself Gather info (walking audits; survey families); identify barriers & solutions Build partnerships (City’s SRTS coordinator; CanDo; HKC; Bicycle & Pedestrian Education Coalition; Bike Fort Collins) Consult with Bevin; toolkit coming soon

22. Moving forward: think outside the box!