COMMUNITY ACTIVITY ENVIRONMENT
ENACT STRATEGY: Safe Routes to School
Institute a Safe Routes to School Program to improve safety and promote walking and biking to school
Safe Routes to School promotes walking and biking to school in a safe and healthy atmosphere. By making community and traffic environments safer, children and youth are encouraged to fit more activity into their day. Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a movement that aims to have parent and community groups, school and local officials, law enforcement officers and traffic engineers all working toward the same objective of making biking and walking to school a safe and realistic option. It began in 1997 in New York, and in 2005 became a national program funded and administered by the federal government. Funding is currently scheduled to last through 2009 and is based on student enrollment. All states receive at least $1 million per year, and each state is required to have a SRTS coordinator. Click on this interactive map to find out more about your state’s program.
Characteristics of a Safe Routes to School Program
- Designated bike lanes
- Well-maintained curbs for pedestrians
- Safe street crossings for pedestrians and bikers
- Visible traffic signs and markings
- Enforcement of traffic safety such as speed limits and stop signs
- Utilize traffic calming techniques
- Foster “neighborhood watch“ programs
WalkBoston Safe Routes to School Program
WalkBoston created the first program in New England to promote walking and biking to school, and the results have been impressive. One participating elementary school saw an increase in the number of families walking to school from 38% to 56 % after implementing the Safe Routes Program.
Marin Safe Routes to School is a national model program. The program's comprehensive website includes background information, tools, and resources to help you implement a successful Safe Routes to School program in your community.
The Oakland Pedestrian Safety Project is a multi-faceted project in which Safe Routes to Schools plays an important part. See how Safe Routes to School can fit into a larger scale city revitalization project.
How to Start Your Own Walk-to-School-Bike-to-School-Traffic-Reduction-and-Safety Program
This comprehensive toolkit includes sample forms and surveys to assess the local strengths and needs before getting a program started. Also included are classroom activities across subject areas for elementary school teachers who want to help children learn about the connections between walking, health, and environmental quality
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website offers a Safe Routes to School Toolkit that includes background information, ideas, and implementation tools.
National Center for Bicycling & Walking Reference Guides
The National Center for Bicycling& Walking provides detailed information about Safe Routes to School, which includes useful tools and guides, including the Pedestrian Facilities Reference Guide and the Bicycle Facilities Reference Guide.
A new tool to provide children with a safe and fun way to get to school in the mornings and home in the afternoons. A walking bus can be implemented according to a community's specific needs.
BicyclingInfo.org and WalkingInfo.org
Numerous resources including exemplary policy and funding sources, safety and health information, and walking and bicycling assessment tools.
- Walkability Checklist (PDF): This tool aims to help community members rate a local walk, and identify any problem areas.
- Bikeability Checklist (PDF): This tool helps individuals assess the ease of bicycling in a community by rating a bike ride and noting any problems encountered
The Physical Activity for Youth Policy Initiative (PDF)
This initiative provides a means for advocates and policymakers to address the issue of physical inactivity. This paper focuses on different priority areas, including community design, to discuss rationale, recommended policy options, and policies in action.
Safe Routes to School National Partnership
This is a network of nonprofit organizations, government agencies, schools, and professionals working to advance the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) movement in the United States
Safe Routes to School-Marin County
Marin County was one of the first communities in the United States to start a Safe Routes to School program. Their highly successful pilot program has become the national model for SRTS, and they continute to lead the way in this movement.
California Epidemiology and Prevention for Injury Control Branch
Learn more about what the State Department of Public Health is doing to promote SRTS programs in California. Their website includes a number of useful resources and programs.
National Center for Bicycling & Walking
This organization works with advocates to create more walkable and bikable communities. They provide resources, direct assistance, and trainings to communities seeking to create active community environments.
Studies from UC Irvine
Researchers at UC Irvine compiled an evaluation which was subsequently submitted to the Legislature by the Department of Transportation.
CDC Report: Investment in Safe Routes to School Projects (PDF)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report that shows that investment in Safe Routes to Schools programs has great potential to increase physical activity among adults and children in urban areas.
Watson M, Dannenberg AL. Investment in Safe Routes to School projects: public health benefits for the larger community. Prev Chronic Dis 2008;5(3).