Safe Routes to School is an initiative that works to make it safe, convenient, and fun for children to walk and bicycle to and from schools. The goal is to get more children walking and bicycling to school, improve kids’ safety, and increase health and physical activity. Safe Routes to School uses the Six Es framework for a comprehensive, integrated approach: Engagement, Equity, Engineering, Encouragement, Education, and Evaluation.
Resources
General
Project profile of the San Francisco Safe Routes to School 2017-2019 Non-Infrastructure project.
Project profile of the Santa Cruz County Safe Routes to School project.
Easy to read one-page vignettes profiling diverse Safe Routes to School program models from throughout California.
Shasta County: A parent champion and principal buy-in lead to success
Kern County: A rural community gets mobilized in partnership with local police
Los Angeles County (Claremont): Flexibility and commitment to sustainability are key
San Diego County: A youth-driven plan paves the way to success
Los Angeles County (Long Beach): Strong leadership provides a vision for change
Riverside County: Planning, prioritizing, and partnering build a lasting program
This guide provides an overview of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program, describes the primary sources of funding for SRTS activities, and identifies opportunities for Native American tribes in California to participate in and benefit from SRTS activities. This guide outlines some of the first steps to addressing the challenges to accessing SRTS funding as well as opportunities for tribes to consider when exploring options to develop SRTS activities for children and families in Indian Country in California.
This issue brief provides insights and recommendations for those who want to work more effectively with school administrators on Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) programs. Advocates and SRTS leaders throughout California can use this brief to gain a stronger understanding of school administrators’ primary concerns and prepare themselves on how best to overcome these common barriers to gaining support for SRTS programs.
A national nonprofit organization working to advance safe walking and rolling to and from schools and in everyday life.
A resource guide to assist with starting and sustaining a range of Safe Routes to School activities.
Two in-depth case studies of successful community implementation of SRTS programs, one of the City of Chula Vista and one of Sacramento County. Each case study provides a different model of how to implement a successful SRTS program.
While some rural California communities are beginning to see the benefits of SRTS programs, many continue to struggle with common barriers to safely walking and bicycling to and from school including long travel distances, high traffic volumes and speeds, unsafe intersections and crossings, and the fear of crime and violence. This Guide provides an overview of some of these barriers and presents strategies and tools to address common challenges and begin a successful SRTS program in a rural community.
Brief snapshots of local Safe Routes to School efforts resulting in increased walking and bicycling and improve safety around the state.
Education
The California Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Curriculum for Grades 4 and 5 teaches students the importance of pedestrian and bicycle safety skills, while also developing healthy habits that benefit both their physical development and academic performance. In addition to learning important information about safety, students who participate in this nine-lesson curriculum will find out about the positive impacts walking and bicycling have on their health and the environment. The lessons can be taught consecutively or presented as stand-alone activities. Suggested times are noted for all of the lesson components to allow teachers the flexibility to pick and choose the most appropriate activities. This curriculum is aligned with the California Health Education Content Standards and the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Mathematics. The lessons can be integrated into English, Mathematics, Science, and Physical Education classes.
This guide offers practical tools for adult facilitators to support middle school students in the promotion of safe walking, bicycling, and public transit use to and from school. Student-led campaigns can generate enthusiasm and improve the social conditions for a Safe Routes to School program. Primarily, the Guide is designed to aid adult facilitators in leading a Safe Routes to School student leadership project as a part of an after-school program. However, it can be adapted to a student leadership club or classroom project during school hours.
Encouragement
The purpose of this guide is to provide a simple description of how to plan and organize a bike train. This guide outlines how to put together and run a bike train program at your school, including initial planning considerations, logistics, promotion, training, and evaluation. The guide has tried-and-true methods, resources, and templates to get you off to a quick start. Whether you are familiar with Safe Routes to School or it is brand new to you, this guide will get you on your way, pedaling toward a successful bike train program.
Information about Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day. Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day is supported by organizations and individuals who share our goal of facilitating communities in becoming places for safe walking, biking and rolling for everyone, starting with children and the trip to school.
Crossing Guards
The Guidelines outline program administration considerations as well as provide train-the-trainer information for Crossing Guard Trainers. The goal of these Guidelines is to promote standardized training to newly employed Crossing Guards, as well as seasoned Crossing Guards, to help them understand their roles and responsibilities, learn about relevant laws and traffic regulations, practice proper crossing techniques, and foster safe school environments.
Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Promotion Materials
Punch card template used for encouragement activities.
