Encouragement

Introduction

Thomas Elementary School was one of three schools that benefited from the $39,000 federal SRTS noninfrastructure award that the Coconino County Health Department received in 2007 from the Arizona  Department of Transportation for its “Walk, Bike Get Fit” program.

Introduction

In September 2007, the Coconino County Health Department received $39,000 in Federal funding awarded through the Arizona Department of Transportation to jumpstart its Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program. The program, titled “Walk. Bike. Get Fit,” began at Kinsey Elementary School, considered one of the most challenging to access by walking or bicycling.

Introduction

Introduction

The Parent Teachers Association (PTA) at Challenger Elementary School in Huntsville, Ala., has organized Walk to School Day in conjunction with International Walk to School Day for five years. Through the PTA’s efforts, the children learn the importance of physical activity and a healthy diet.

Introduction

Introduction

Before Congress passed the SAFETEA-LU transportation legislation in 2005, the Las Cruces Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in Las Cruces, NM, adopted Safe Routes to School (SRTS) policies into its transportation plan.

“We actually started on the SRTS project prior to the state’s SRTS program getting started,” said Andy Hume, associate planner for the MPO. “We wrote one of the first action plans in the state.”

Active Living Resource Center Report examines City-Safe Routes to School

With the rise in funding and program movement, news media coverage surrounding Safe Routes to School has seen an increase in the past several years. In an analysis conducted by the National Center for Safe Routes to School, the number of U.S. news stories directly relating to Safe Routes to School jumped from 37 in 2000 to 462 in 2006. With headlines like "Lessons in Leg Power" (Minneapolis Star Tribune) and "Getting the Wheels in Motion" (Albany Times Union), the program has seen growth in both the quantity and quality of media coverage received.

Safe Routes Snapshots provides a brief profile of a Safe Routes to School state or local program that highlights a particular success or issue the program faced. To submit your program for Safe Routes Snapshots, please email news@saferoutesinfo.org.

As another school year commences across the country, folks begin to think about transporting children to and from school and the options available to them - primarily, drop the kids at the school doors or have them take the bus? This year, think of another option for children and consider walking or bicycling to school.