Policy & funding

Introduction

Introduction

Introduction

Establishing a broad base of community partnerships has enabled the City of Garfield to begin a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program that can sustain itself. Although Garfield is comprised of less than 2.2 square miles, it has nine parks, a Boys and Girls Club, a YMCA and two walking paths. Despite such amenities, however, the high concentration of people combined with the lack of busing to schools contributed to significant traffic congestion around the schools.

The National Center for Safe Routes to School has released the Fall 2007 Program Tracking Brief. This quarterly report is prepared by the National Center for Safe Routes to School to provide information about state Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs. Each quarter, a different snapshot and brief analysis of one key trend across all state programs is presented.

Highlights from the Fall 2007 report include:

States throughout the U.S. continue to show that the Safe Routes to School program is experiencing growth and success as more children are introduced to the benefits of walking and bicycling to school safely. In recognition of the quick and effective implementation of the Safe Routes to School program, the National Center for Safe Routes to School awarded the 2007 James L. Oberstar Award to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).

The National Safe Routes to School Program expanded significantly during the fourth quarter (Oct–Dec) of 2008. The total amount of SRTS spending announced through December 31 was $370.6 million, which is an $80.6 million (28 percent) increase in total awards from the $290.0 reported for the previous quarter. The $80.6 million announced by States is the largest quarterly increase since the Federal SRTS program began. Funding announcements made by a host of States as well as a major announcement by California contributed to setting this new mark.

The Safe Routes to School National Partnership published a 2009 Policy Report in March. The SRTS National Partnership is a network of more than 400 organizations supporting Safe Routes to School across the country.

To view the report, go to www.saferoutespartnership.org/mediacenter/31472.

The National Center for Safe Routes to School convened a national group of stakeholders and experts to advise and provide support for the work of the National Center. The first meeting of the National Review Group was March 10, during the National Bike Summit in Washington D.C.