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Safe Routes to School E-News
"Changing the habits of an entire generation"
Safe Routes to School E-News is a monthly email newsletter
published by the Safe Routes to School National Partnership,
a growing network of more than 300 organizations working to
advance the Safe Routes to School National movement. Please
forward it to anyone you think might be interested by
clicking the link at the bottom of this page.
Please forward Safe Routes to School E-News to others who may
be interested!
In this issue:
-
Guide for Forming a SRTS State Network and 2007 Annual
Report
-
Safe Routes Partnership: Call for Steering Committee
Nominations
-
National Complete Streets Bill Is Introduced in the
Senate
-
SRTS Helping Kids with and without Disabilities to be
More Active
-
May is National Bike Month
-
Safe Routes to Schools are No Accident
-
Momentum for SRTS Builds in Illinois
-
DC's Program: SRTS in the Nation's Capitol
-
First National SRTS Conference Award Promotes SRTS in
Evanston, IL
-
SRTS News Throughout the Country
1. Guide for Forming a SRTS State Network and 2007 Annual
Report
Find the reports on-line at:
www.saferoutespartnership.org
In May 2007, the Safe Routes to School National Partnership
launched a three-year Safe Routes to School (SRTS) State
Network Project to ensure successful implementation of the
federal SRTS program, and to leverage resources and build
diverse partnerships in nine states and the District of
Columbia. The National Partnership is now releasing two
publications, produced by the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation, that are full of information: The Safe Routes
to School State Network Project: 2007 Annual Progress Report
and Establishing a Safe Routes to School State Network: A
10-Step Guide.
The
2007 Annual Progress Report summarizes the progress
that the Safe Routes to School State Network Project
achieved in its first year of operation, outlines lessons
learned, highlights accomplishments in each State Network,
and suggests next steps to maintain the momentum in the
State Networks. To view the pdf report in its entirety,
please visit the
Partnership's website.
Although the State Network Project currently only has funds to
operate in nine states and the District of Columbia, every
state could benefit from a SRTS State Network. Networks can
unite diverse stakeholders to help make the state SRTS
program successful, provide for an educational forum,
leverage additional resources, promote policy changes to
improve physical activity and safety, and contribute to a
national learning network. The
10-Step Guide for forming a SRTS State Network
provides a process that can be used to create a SRTS State
Network in any state. It can be viewed on the
Partnership's website.
The SRTS State Network Project is funded by Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, Bikes Belong Coalition, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Harvest
Foundation.
2. Safe Routes Partnership: Call for Steering Committee
Nominations
The deadline to apply is May 2, 2008
The Partnership is now accepting nominations for several
Steering Committee positions representing government
agencies, non-governmental organizations and professional
associations. Each organization that holds a seat on the
Steering Committee must appoint an individual representative
to serve on behalf of his or her organization. Open seats
and terms are:
-
National pedestrian group - one seat (2008-2011)
-
National group representing bicyclists and pedestrians -
one seat (2008-2011)
-
National group representing local government agencies -
one seat (2008-2011)
-
State or local bicycle group - one seat (2008-2011)
-
State or local bicycle and/or pedestrian group - one
seat (2008-2011)
-
Local school or school district - one seat (2008-2011)
-
State or local at large seat - one seat (2008-2011)
-
State or local at large seat - one seat (2007-2010;
fills a vacated seat)
The Steering Committee, a diverse group of up to 21 members,
functions as the Partnership's Board of Directors and holds
decision-making responsibility for the Partnership. The
estimated time commitment for Steering Committee members is
eight hours a month. The deadline to apply is May 2, 2008.
For more information on the call for nominations and to view
and download the call for application and instructions,
click here.
3. National Complete Streets Bill Is Introduced in the Senate
Contact your Senator and ask them to co-sponsor the bill
On Monday, March 3, 2008, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced
Senate bill S. 2686, The Complete Streets Act of 2008. The
Complete Streets Act of 2008 was introduced to ensure that
all users of the transportation system, including
pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users as well as
children, older individuals, and individuals with
disabilities, are able to travel safely and conveniently on
streets and highways. The bill would require that State DOTs
and MPOs develop complete streets policies for the use of
federal funds.
Co-sponsors and supporters of S. 2686 are essential - please
call or write to your Senator today to gain their support.
Visit the
Complete Streets website for talking points, fact sheets
and updated information. The Safe Routes to School National
Partnership is supporting this bill, as complete streets
help to make our roadways safer for everyone, including
children, the most vulnerable users.
The National Complete Streets Coalition is a diverse coalition
of groups working in support of complete streets. The Safe
Routes to School National Partnership was recently approved
as a new member of the National Complete Streets Coalition
Steering Committee. Other members include Active Living by
Design, Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals,
the Institute of Transportation Engineers, Smart Growth
America, the Thunderhead Alliance and many other vibrant
non-profits and associations. For more information on how to
get involved with the Coalition,
click here.
4. SRTS Helping Kids with and without Disabilities to be More
Active
NCPAD awarded two grants to assist in these efforts
The mission of the National Center on Physical Activity and
Disability (NCPAD) is to promote substantial health benefits
that can be gained from participating in regular physical
activity. The slogan of NCPAD is Exercise is for EVERY body,
and every person can gain some health benefit from being
more physically active. The goals of NCPAD and Safe Routes
to School go hand in hand.
SRTS is also interested in helping youth with disabilities
become more physically active, and the National Center for
Safe Routes to School has recently awarded NCPAD two
separate grants to assist them with these efforts. NCPAD
will be focusing on evaluation and education, and intend to
keep the interests of children with disabilities in each and
every planning stage of this important initiative. To read a
recent article released from NCPAD on Safe Routes to School
and children with disabilities,
click here.
5. May is National Bike Month
Plan a SRTS event promoting bicycling to school
May is National Bike Month, and now is the time to start
thinking about planning a Safe Routes to School event
promoting bicycling to school in your community.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
-
Bike to School day(s) - give away prizes or hold a
raffle to encourage students to try bicycling
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A Bike Safety Assembly
-
Bike Train - one day or multiple days with parents or
local bike experts leading the group
-
Helmet/Bike Giveaways and fittings - local hospitals,
bike groups, and other organizations could provide
giveaway helmets
-
Bike Rodeos - one day bike safety clinics; police, bike
club or other community group could sponsor
-
Incorporate bike safety, history, mechanics into PE,
science, health classes
-
Bike performance by drama group; bike art project by art
group
-
Launch of new bike club at school; or club signup
rally/performance during lunch
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Fun school bike events: Slow Race, Obstacle Course,
trail race, skills clinics
-
Design a Bike Rack - high school/middle school painting
racks, or welding or bolting/wiring artsy stuff to racks
at school
-
Parent "How to Bike with Your Kids" class/event - local
bike club experts demo equipment (trailers, tag-alongs,
seats, kids bikes), and various bicycling issues
-
Organized bike rides - led by local club or high school
age kids, around neighborhood or to popular
destinations, with food giveaways and/or prizes
For more information on special events already going on in your
community related to National Bike Month, please visit the
League of American Bicyclist's website. You can also
register your May bike month event at the League's website.
6. Safe Routes to Schools are No Accident
Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 working with communities to create
safer streets
The national non-profit Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 works with
communities to integrate their neighborhood/school zone
safety campaign into SRTS initiatives. To date, 1,000
communities representing 47 states are involved in the
campaign. The mission of Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 is to end
all deaths and injuries caused by speeding on all roadways.
To accomplish their mission, they work to educate and actively
engage citizens throughout the United States in a common
commitment to create safer streets in neighborhoods, and
beyond, for the benefit of all. This includes pedestrians,
cyclists, children-at-play, motorists and their passengers.
They work with and through neighborhood groups, law
enforcement, public health agencies, schools,
city/county/state government, public works, businesses,
safety organizations, and any and all civic organizations
committed to creating safe roadways.
Clearly, driver behavior is crucial to creating a safe
environment for everyone. Controlling speed and stop sign
observance is no accident. We hear the word "accident"
often. Yet how many tragedies are accidents? If a driver is
speeding on a neighborhood street, including school zones,
or fails to stop at a crosswalk or stop sign, and hits a
child or bike-rider, is that an accident?
Consider these facts:
-
Most speeders on local roadways live right in the
neighborhood.
-
Pedestrian fatalities increase by three times when
moving from 25 mph zones to 30 mph zones.
-
The fatality rate per miles driven on local roads is
over two times higher than on highways.
-
Annually, 200 pedestrians die and 17,000 are injured
when hit by a vehicle running a stop sign.
Learn more about how your community can integrate your
neighborhood safety campaign into SRTS Initiatives. Contact
Tom Everson, Executive Director, or visit
www.KeepKidsAliveDrive25.org for more information.
7. Momentum for SRTS Builds in Illinois
Funding is awarded and legislation proposed
On Thursday, March 6th the Illinois Department of
Transportation (IDOT) announced funding awards for Illinois'
first Safe Routes to School funding cycle. IDOT awarded over
$8.3 million to schools and municipalities in Illinois to
implement Safe Routes to School projects and programs that
will benefit school children in local communities. 298
applications were submitted, with $77.7 million requested
from across the state. All applicants completed school
travel plans as part of the application process. The awards
announcement followed articles published in the Chicago
Tribune and Chicago Sun Times about the importance of Safe
Routes to School programs and projects. Illinois is also one
of the nine states involved in the Partnership's SRTS State
Network Project.
When announcing the awards, Megan Holt, IDOT's Safe Routes to
School Coordinator wrote to applicants, "It has been amazing
to see the plans and ideas that you have had to increase the
safety and number of students walking and bicycling in
Illinois." Updates to the online application and school
travel plan are in the final stages and will be available to
applicants in the next funding cycle.
In early 2008 three pieces of legislation that will benefit
Safe Routes to School have been introduced in the Illinois
Legislature. The Vulnerable Users Bill, S.B. 2596 and H.B.
4861, which passed through committees in the House and
Senate, will create increased penalties for motorists whose
carelessness causes the death or serious injury of a
bicyclist, pedestrian or other vulnerable user of our
streets. The Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to
School Transparency Act, S.B. 2311 and H.B. 4757, passed
through committees in the House and Senate. This bill
strives to bring consistency and transparency to the
awarding of Safe Routes to School funds. The Green Buildings
Act, HB5113, which passed the House State Government
Administration Committee, includes an amendment that
requires state-funded building construction to meet at least
one LEED criterion for alternative transportation for public
transportation or bicycle access (LEED Credits 4.1 or 4.2).
This bill will affect new school construction, and is
important for ensuring school siting that allows students to
safely walk and bike to school.
For more information on the Illinois SRTS program, please
contact SRTS Department of Transportation Coordinator
Megan Holt, the SRTSNP State Network Organizer,
Shana Hazan, or visit the
Illinois SRTS website.
8. DC's Program: SRTS in the Nation's Capitol
Applications are due on May 1, 2008
The District of Columbia is currently launching the first phase
of its SRTS program in which eight DC schools will receive
comprehensive SRTS planning assistance. Schools must apply
to be considered; applications were released on February
27th and are due on May 1, 2008. Work with each of the
selected schools will take place during the 2008/2009 school
year.
In addition to assisting the eight schools, DDOT is conducting
certain SRTS efforts citywide. DDOT has been funding
pedestrian and bicycle safety education in elementary
schools since 2003 and continues to do so as part of the
Federal SRTS program. DDOT is also partnering with the
Metropolitan Police Department to enforce traffic laws in
school zones throughout the District. Finally, DDOT will
install missing sidewalk links adjacent to schools.
DC is participating in the SRTS National Partnership State
Network Project. DC's SRTS Network serves as the advisory
committee to the program. The Network Organizer is Glen
Harrison of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, and
diverse members of the Network include representatives from
the City Council, various DC agencies, and local
non-profits.
For more information on the DC SRTS program, please contact the
DC Safe Routes to School Coordinator,
Jennifer Hefferan, the SRTSNP State Network Organizer,
Glen Harrison, or visit
DC's SRTS website.
9. First National SRTS Conference Award Promotes SRTS in
Evanston, IL
T-shirt sale proceeds at conference provided funds
In November 2007, the National Center for Safe Routes to School
and the Safe Routes to School National Partnership
co-presented the first National Safe Routes to School
Conference, which was hosted by the Michigan Fitness
Foundation in Dearborn, Michigan. A t-shirt sale took place
at the conference, and the proceeds of the sale were offered
as a raffle prize for conference attendees who had purchased
a t-shirt. The $783 in prize money was awarded to Suzan A.
Pinsof and Associates to support a local safe routes to
school program.
Suzan A. Pinsof and Associates chose to spend the award money
on a Multi-modal Transportation Plan for the City of
Evanston, Illinois. The plan got underway in January 2008,
and will address all modes of transportation including
walking and bicycling. School access will be a focus of the
pedestrian analysis. Safe walking/bicycling concept plans
will be developed for four schools. Evanston has supportive
walking infrastructure but, as a city of 75,000 with
increasing traffic, it also has plenty of issues with
speeding cars and difficult intersections. There is a high
level of adult bicycling but, even with a newly implemented
bicycle plan, very few children ride bicycles to school.
As part of the project, they are surveying principals to
determine school transportation mode shares and issues
impacting walking and bicycling. They are also asking about
willingness to participate in student and parent surveys.
However, the project falls short of providing a
comprehensive Safe Routes to School planning process, and
the community has not yet seen the potential for increased
walking and bicycling to school for Evanston students. Suzan
A. Pinsof and Associates plan to use the $783 grant to
engage the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation to run a SRTS
Workshop. They will invite parents, interested citizens,
teachers, administrators, and other professionals from the
health, planning, and transportation communities. Their hope
is to energize the community so that they see more SRTS
projects, and realize the potential for walking and
bicycling to school in Evanston, Illinois.
10. SRTS News Throughout the Country
Local and state SRTS program news links
Safe Routes to School news around the country keeps growing!
Updated regularly, see our new
SRTS in the News media center for the latest in local,
state, and national SRTS news.
Help Grow the Partnership!
Joining the Partnership is free. Please encourage other
organizations, schools, businesses, and government agencies
to join the
Safe Routes to School National Partnership, a network of
more than 300 organizations and agencies.
Funding for the Safe Routes to School National
Partnership has been generously provided by the Bikes Belong
Coalition, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Kaiser
Permanente, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
the Harvest Foundation, and partner affiliates.
Safe Routes to School National Partnership
P.O. Box 663 · Fairfax, CA · 94978 |
