Safe Routes Matters, January/February 2009

Did you miss one of our free Webinars?

Don't worry! The Safe Routes to School Coaching Action Network Webinars are archived on the National Center's Web site.

In this Issue:

New Progress Report Available

Three-year progress report cover

The National Center for Safe Routes to School has completed a three-year progress report mapping the growth of SRTS throughout the nation. The report includes case studies and updates on current state and national initiatives in support of communities building Safe Routes to School programs. Please go to http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/report/.

States report record numbers in last quarter 2008

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.

Walking family

State Safe Routes to School Programs have announced Federal awards for 89 percent of the $416 million that has been made available to States through 2008. Forty-nine States and D.C. have announced spending of SRTS funds for 4,566 local programs, up from 4,089 local programs in 47 States at the end of September 2008. When statewide non-infrastructure activities are included, all 50 States and D.C. have spent SRTS funding.

  • All states and the District of Columbia have announced funding for local and/or statewide SRTS programs.
  • 49 states and the District of Columbia have announced funding for local SRTS programs.
  • Approximately $370.6 million has been awarded for SRTS programs.
  • At least 4,566 schools are participating in SRTS programs.

For the full report, and to see previous reports, go to http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/tracking-reports.cfm

National Review Group to Have First Meeting on March 10

The National Center for Safe Routes to School has convened a national group of stakeholders and experts to advise and provide support to the national Safe Routes to School movement. The first meeting of the National Review Group will take place on March 10, during the National Bike Summit meeting in Washington D.C. Look for updates on the work of this group in the next issue of Safe Routes Matters. Go to http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/nrg for a list of members and updates.

Safe Routes Snapshots: Columbia, South Carolina — A Comprehensive SRTS Program at Rosewood Elementary School

Background

Rosewood Elementary School in Columbia, SC, has approximately 400 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. In 2006, a Rosewood Elementary teacher, who also is a parent, noticed on her morning walks to school with her daughter that cars were driving too fast in front of the school.

Almost weekly the teacher witnessed cars running the red light at one of the school's main intersections. The teacher heard about Safe Routes to School (SRTS), and with help from a SRTS planning committee, she worked to develop and implement SRTS activities at Rosewood Elementary.

Details

In October 2007, Rosewood Elementary received a $200,000 grant from the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). Recognizing the need to work collaboratively to decide how to spend the funds effectively, a committee was established of parents, teachers, members from the school administration and the school nurse. Together, the committee has been designing and implementing a comprehensive SRTS program encompassing each of the five E's: education, encouragement, engineering, enforcement and evaluation.

The committee sends flyers with safety information to the students' homes and makes informative announcements over the school's public address system to help educate students and parents on safety. The committee also is incorporating bicycle and pedestrian safety information into the classroom activities.

As for enforcement, in 2006, law enforcement officers increased their patrolling of the streets surrounding the school after parents informed the officers of concerns regarding speeding cars. Since this time, law enforcement officers have become a regular presence around the school during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal to enforce school zone speed limits.

The school plans to survey the parents and students to gather their opinions on the SRTS program throughout the various stages of implementation. In addition, parents will be asked about the barriers of walking to school and how these barriers should be addressed.

Teachers also will contribute to the evaluation efforts by conducting in-class tallies to measure the different modes in which the students travel to and from school.

Results

Rosewood Elementary has succeeded in its early SRTS efforts, even garnering local television media attention. Based upon parent reports, the increased patrolling of the streets surrounding Rosewood Elementary has slowed traffic. Parents report that while driving, they are more aware of oncoming bicyclists and pedestrians. Pieces of the SRTS program, such as Walking Fridays, already are implemented and the students' excitement to walk to school has increased.

Contact

Tracy Shaw
Rosewood Elementary School
3000 Rosewood Dr
Columbia, SC 29205
Phone: (803) 343-2930

Listen to a new NCSRTS podcast featuring Tracy Shaw from Columbia, South Carolina, at: http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/podcast/saferoutespodcast001.cfm

SRTS in the News

The following is a brief compilation of Safe Routes to School-related news stories from across the country. Web links to the following news stories are time sensitive, so some stories may not be accessible after the initial publication date or may require registration.

Safety lacking in Picture Rocks
Arizona Daily Star
02/15/2009
New school sidewalk funded by federal grant
Baldwin County Now, AL
02/14/2009
ODOT to give funds for local Safe Routes to School program
The Norman Transcript, OK
01/14/2009
Walk to School Gets Safer
The Tennessean
01/14/2009
Grant would make school routes safer
Times Daily, Florence, AL
01/12/2009
District eyes safe routes for students
Coolidge Examiner
01/07/2009

For more news stories relating to Safe Routes to School, please visit the NCSRTS News Room at www.saferoutesinfo.org/news_room/

Safe Routes Matters is a free, online publication of the National Center for Safe Routes to School. No permission is needed to reprint from articles, but attribution is requested. To submit article ideas to Safe Routes Matters, please email news@saferoutesinfo.org.