Maryland Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Education Program Maryland Highway Safety Office City of Rockville Toole Design Group, LLC Rockville, MD April 11, 2003

Why does Maryland need a Safety Education Program?

MD experienced 3110 pedestrian and 1067 bicycle crashes in MD averages 110 pedestrian fatalities per year— Pedestrians make up 16% of all traffic fatalities Over 25% of pedestrian crashes in MD involve children aged 5-15 (this group makes up 15% of the population) Over 45% of bicycle crashes in the US involve children under 15 (this group makes up 22% of the population) Children are judged responsible for more than half of these crashes Universal bike helmet use by ages 4-15 would prevent 57,000 to 100,000 head and face injuries each year Why does Maryland need a Safety Education Program?

Pedestrian Lessons (Kindergarten-2 nd Grade) Bicycle Lessons (3 rd Grade-5 th Grade) 4 Core Lessons for Pedestrian and Bicycle Enrichment Lessons Hands-On Approach Learn skills and behaviors, but kids still have fun Flexible for teachers Sounds simple… Safety Education Program Overview

How was the Program Developed?

Review of the best ped and bike safety curricula from North America Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Education Committee –Program Coordinator –Administrator –Teacher –Lesson writers Outreach to Rockville community, teachers, and administrators—Built support Pilot Testing

Program Materials Administrator’s Guide Teacher’s Guide Lesson Handbook

Administrator’s Guide Benefits of ped and bike safety education (overheads for presentations) Short summary of program –Maryland Learner Outcomes Administrative issues –Instructor training –Equipment and materials –Liability –Community support

Teacher’s Guide

Lesson Summary –Time, objectives, and activities Background Information –Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Concepts Materials Documenting Effectiveness Letters to Parents, Program Flier, Certificate of Achievement

What are the Lessons All About? Pedestrian Lesson Contents –Stopping at the edge before crossing the street –Looking left-right-left before crossing the street –Scanning left and right to look for traffic while crossing the street –Walking safely near the school bus –Choosing safe crossing locations; visual barriers –Looking left-right-left and behind when crossing intersections Bicycle Lesson Contents –Wearing a bicycle helmet –Checking to make sure that the equipment is safe for riding –Rules of the road –Skills: balance, stopping, turning, and signaling

Lesson Layout Lesson Outline –Time, Objectives, MLOs, Materials, Teaching Venue, Vocabulary, Statistics Lesson Walk-Through –Introduction –Instruction –Activities Handouts and Materials

Role of the Program Coordinator

Coordinate the program in a city or county area Train teachers and then play advisory role Find volunteers to assist Promote program in local community Manage equipment

Pilot to Statewide Rockville Pilot –Written Materials (Jan Aug. 2003) –7 Rockville schools (Sep Jun. 2003) –All Rockville schools (Sep Jun. 2004) Expand to two or three counties –Montgomery, Prince Georges, Baltimore City, others (Sep ) Expand Statewide –Share positive results from Rockville and Montgomery County –Build support (Other communities Statewide) –Expand to more interested jurisdictions (Sep and beyond)

Questions?

Let’s see the lessons in action!