Policy & funding

The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) concept began in Denmark in the late 1970s as part of a very successful initiative to reduce the number of children killed while walking and bicycling to school. Safe Routes to School spread internationally, with programs springing up in throughout Europe, in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.

Funding sources for bicycle and pedestrian facilities and programs can be found at all levels of government as well as in the private sector. This Web site contains a variety of funding and provides additional resources and links to other websites for further information.

The website for the Federal Safe Routes to School Program includes information on the federal guidance, an overview of the federal funding and a series of frequently asked questions.

How to Develop a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan will help state and local officials know where to begin to address pedestrian safety issues. It is also intended to assist agencies in further enhancing their existing pedestrian safety programs and activities, including identifying safety problems, analyzing information, and selecting optimal solutions. The guide also contains information on how to involve stakeholders, potential sources of funding for implementing projects and how to evaluate projects.

Resource File: 

howtoguide2006.pdf

This report examines public policy effects on historic neighborhood school expansion, renovation, and replacement needs. It addresses four basic questions:

Resource File: 

WhyJohnnyCantWalktoSchool.pdf

In 2003 the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation intervened in a community where liability concerns caused the local school district staff to ban students bicycling to and from school. Research resulting from this intervention led us to see this as a nationwide phenomenon. Furthermore, as Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs proliferate, we believe their proponents will slam up against the liability wall more and more.

Michigan's Safe Routes to School website contains the following pages: About SR2S contains general information regarding Safe Routes to School. This includes a description of the program's mission and goals and an overview of Michigan's 2-year Safe Routes to School pilot project.

Introduction Children's lives have altered dramatically over the last few decades. One of the most startling changes is how little independence and mobility they now have compared to the generations who grew up before them. Not so long ago, a vast majority of kids routinely roamed their neighborhoods on foot or bicycle, taking the first steps toward independence.

Resource File: 

2001SummarySRTS.pdf

The materials in this guide will enable you to establish a successful and ongoing Safe Routes to School Program at your school-and to ultimately enhance the safety and health of your community for years to come.

Resource File: 

SR2S_Guidebook_1.pdf