History of Safe Routes to School
The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) concept began in the 1970s in Odense, Denmark, over concern for the safety of school children walking and bicycling to school. [1], [2]
The SRTS concept spread internationally, with programs developing in other parts of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. The Bronx, a borough of New York City, started the first SRTS program in the United States in 1997; in the same year, the State of Florida implemented a pilot program. In August of 2000, the U.S. Congress funded two pilot SRTS projects through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Within a year of the launch of the pilot projects, many other grassroots SRTS efforts began throughout the United States.
Palm Bay Elementary, Palm Bay, Florida.
Success with the pilot projects generated interest in a federally funded national program. In 2003, advocates convened meetings with experts in pedestrian and bicycle issues to talk about SRTS issues and ideas for developing a national program. Momentum for a national SRTS program in the United States continued to build as several states developed their own programs.
In August 2005, federal transportation legislation devoted $612 million for The National Safe Routes to School Program from 2005 through 2009. This national program is expected to greatly increase the number of SRTS programs around the country. For more information on the national program, go to www.saferoutesinfo.org.