CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (May 26, 2026) – The National Center for Safe Routes to School is pleased to present mini-grants to Atlanta; El Paso, Texas; and Wallace County, Kan. In the fourth year of a program made possible by General Motors (GM), grants of up to $10,000 are awarded for pedestrian safety improvements in communities for children and families. Since 2021, GM has contributed $770,000 towards Safe Routes programming, improving safe mobility across the country.
“Often small-scale safety improvements can inspire large-scale change, which is why our work with GM to support community driven quick-build projects is so important,” said Nancy Pullen-Seufert, Director, National Center for Safe Routes to School, UNC Highway Safety Research Center. “We look forward to seeing these communities create more spaces that invite and promote safety for students and families going to school and other community destinations.”
“Road safety is a key priority for us, which is why we work with communities across the country to help encourage safer behaviors for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians alike,” said Hal Garling, Senior Manager, Corporate Grantmaking, GM. “We thank the National Center for Safe Routes to School for their partnership and work to keep America’s kids safe.”
In the school’s Safe Routes to School Action Plan, the Atlanta Department of Transportation identified three crosswalks that needed improvements near Finch Elementary School in the Oakland City neighborhood. The school crosswalks will be transformed with paint into “asphalt art” to increase visibility and awareness to help students and families crossing in these locations.
El Paso is installing quick-build curb extensions near the downtown international port of entry to improve safety along a high-crash corridor with heavy pedestrian activity and connect students to nearby schools. As part of a community event celebration, students added their own chalk print palm prints to create a visual connection to the safety improvements.
Wallace County’s goal to define and create more spaces for walking and biking is a first step in its Safe Routes to School implementation plan. In the county seat of Sharon Springs, a bicycle lane connecting to the business district will be painted to provide a route for youth cyclists traveling to school. And in Weskan, an unincorporated community in the county, two painted crosswalks will be installed near a local school.
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Established in 2006, the National Center for Safe Routes to School helps communities change their culture around safe and active travel. Its role includes leading the Vision Zero for Youth initiative, national coordination and technical assistance for U.S. Walk & Roll to School Day and Bike & Roll to School Day, and providing tools, training, research, and evaluation for safe walking and bicycling for children and youth. The National Center for Safe Routes to School served as the U.S. Federal Highway Administration’s clearinghouse for the federal SRTS program for eleven years. It is located at the UNC Highway Safety Research Center, hsrc.unc.edu.