1. 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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

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

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

10. 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

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

12. 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.

13. Important Links Safe Routes to School National Partnership
National Center for Safe Routes to School

14. How-To Guidebook
Download a copy of the “Safe Routes to School Toolkit” so that your “Team” can get started developing your local program:

15. 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!