Photo courtesy of Safe Routes to School National Partnership

About

Safe Routes to Schools is a federal program that focuses on making it safer and easier for children to walk and bike to school. The purpose is to address the lack of physical activity by changing policy and infrastructure while coordinating engaging educational and encouragement activities to get kids walking and biking. Successful SRTS programs bring together key stakeholders such as parents, teachers, students, administrators, elected officials, public safety officials and advocates in order to get kids active while improving the built environment around schools. SRTS programs result is healthier children, safer streets, less congestion, and better air quality in proximity to schools.

Photo courtesy of Safe Routes to School National Partnership

While funding is currently unavailable to launch Safe Routes to School programs in our area, we encourage parents and school administrators to consider hosting a Walk or Bike to School Day and distributing materials about safe road use to students and parents.

Resources

• Allegheny County Health Department’s Safe & Healthy Communities Education Program
• Safe Routes to School National Partnership’s Resource Center
• National Learning Network – Pennsylvania Safe Routes to School – Info on how to patch in to the Statewide network and how to obtain statewide resources for educational activities at your school
• Pennsylvania Safe Routes Resource Center – The State of PA sponsored clearinghouse on all info needed to start and maintain a SRTS program at your school