Policy & funding

Boulder, Colorado: Changing the habits of entire families

Parents at Bear Creek Elementary School in Boulder, Colo., are leading students and the entire school community into life-changing choices.

Introduction

Parents at Bear Creek Elementary School in Boulder, CO., are leading students and the entire school community into life-changing choices. The Car-Free Commute program at the school, only in its second year, has succeeded in engaging 70 percent of students in walking and bicycling to school consistently throughout the school year.

Colorado: The Colorado SRTS Program

With the passage of the federal transportation legislation, SAFETEA-LU, in August 2005, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) began implementing its Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program.

Introduction

With the passage of the federal transportation legislation, SAFETEA-LU, in August 2005, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) began implementing its Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program. CDOT first created an advisory committee comprising teachers, parents, law enforcement officers and local planners. The committee worked tirelessly to develop the process and procedures for identifying, selecting and implementing the project, as well as creating a new program for oversight, the budget and evaluation.

Chula Vista, California: Comprehensive SRTS Program Takes Off

Chula Vista is in southwest California and has the largest kindergarten through sixth grade district in the state.

Introduction

Chula Vista is in southwest California and has the largest kindergarten through sixth grade district in the state. In 2007, the city of Chula Vista and the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) applied for and were awarded Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grants. One of the grants was designated for a non-infrastructure program for Otay and Rice Elementary Schools, while the other was for a city infrastructure program.

California: The California SRTS Program

As one of the first states to enact Safe Routes to School legislation and the home to one of two original pilot SRTS projects, California has been a leader in the national SRTS movement for nearly a decade.

Introduction

Phoenix, Arizona: Maricopa County offers SRTS option for students

Maricopa County Department of Public Health- Office of Health Promotion and Education in 2008 began working with Griffith Elementary School on “Walk n-Rollers.”

Introduction

Maricopa County Department of Public Health- Office of Health Promotion and Education in 2008 began working with Griffith Elementary School on “Walk n-Rollers,” a Safe Routes to School program to address parent concerns about traffic, speeding and safety as students walk and bicycle to school. Griffith is a neighborhood school with about 650 students, more than half of whom live within a quarter mile of the school. The school population is predominantly low income, and obesity issues are a concern.

Gilbert, Arizona: Partners across school districts

The Safe Routes to School program in Gilbert, AZ, focuses on promoting walking and bicycling to school with the help of partnerships with 30 schools in two school districts and with community organizations.

Introduction

Sometimes, there is great strength in numbers. The Gilbert, Arizona, Safe Routes to School 5Es program thrives due to partnerships among many organizations, including schools, school districts, PTSOs, a local municipality, a regional hospital, a regional public transit agency and local business organizations.

Flagstaff, Arizona: Walking School Bus “takes back” a local park

Thomas Elementary School was one of three schools that benefited from the $39,000 federal SRTS noninfrastructure award.

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.

Coconino County, Arizona: "Walk, Bike and Get Fit" in Flagstaff, Arizona

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.

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.

Little Rock, Arkansas: PTA leads community efforts to reap SRTS benefits

The Forest Park Elementary School PTA utilized strengths of its parent volunteers.

Introduction

Green Forest, Arkansas: Walking School Bus participants identify barriers

Students in Green Forest, AR, literally are leading the way to help the city identify improvements needed to make routes safer for children to walk to school.

Introduction

Students in Green Forest, AR, literally are leading the way to help the city identify improvements needed to make routes safer for children to walk to school.