Encouragement

What are some ways to increase children's personal security while they walk t school?

The National Center for Safe Routes to School has developed a resources that speaks directly to personal security issues in the context of the trip to/from school. The resource is called Personal Security and Safe Routes to School, and describes strategies such as supervised walking school buses, adult "corner captains" who provide an extra set of eyes along common school routes among other ideas for enhancing children's safety as they travel between home and school.

The focus of the Safe Routes to School Program is to make the routes to school safer for children to walk and bicycle. In the context of 'stranger danger' and sex offenders, potential solutions for creating safer routes include having parents, guardians or responsible adults walk or bicycle with their children to school; working closely with local law enforcement officials; and equipping children with the personal safety skills to minimize risks.

Explore other program tools:

Walk and Roll to School Tips on Including Children with Disabilities

Physical activity is important for the health of all children. Including children with disabilities in the International Walk to School event is fun and easy. National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) offer some helpful tips to make this event a success for everyone.

Authoring Organization: 
National Center on Physical Activity and Disability

Explore other program tools:

The 2002 Summary of Safe Routes to School Programs

The report discusses the various engineering, enforcement and education strategies used in Safe Routes programs and describes why it is important to use multiple stragegies. The document also provides an inventory of programs by locations throughout the United States.

Authoring Organization: 
Surface Transportation Policy Project

Eight Reasons Kids Reckon they should Walk to School

This is a great flyer of kids expressing in their own words and artwork the value of walking to school. It is fun and inspirational. This document lists the following 8 reasons and provides detials for each:

1. Walking is an Adventure

2. Sense of Place

3. Sensitivity to the Environment

4. Enriched Social Relationships

5. Learning Better and Creative Stimuli

6. Safety & Independent Mobility

7. Taking Risks & Growing Up

Authoring Organization: 
Creative Communities International

Explore other program tools:

Is the Walking School Bus stalled in an evolutionary cul-de-sac?

"This article argues that in many circumstances the Walking Bus has outlived its usefulness and in some circumstances has become counter-productive. It argues that it is time to let the Walking Bus evolve and give birth to some evolutionary adaptations."

Authoring Organization: 
David Engwicht

Explore other program tools:

School Administrator's Guide to School Walk Routes and Student Pedestrian Safety

Authoring Organization: 
Washington Traffic Safety Commission and Washington State DOT

Montgomery County, MD Pedestrian Safety

The Montgomery County Pedestrian Safety site details the extensive education campaigns that have been conducted over the past years. Other resources include a safety quiz and tips, local news and events, and project descriptions.

Authoring Organization: 
Montgomery County

California Walk to School Day Walkability Checklist

Checklist developed by the California Walk to School Headquarters to promote walking to school, identify barriers, and collect behavioral data about walking to school.

Authoring Organization: 
California Walk to School Headquarters