Legislative Priorities and Actions

The Safe Routes to School National Partnership advocates for public policy and funding that will strengthen the federal Safe Routes to School program and build a more supportive environment for Safe Routes to School initiatives. We regularly visit Capitol Hill to help members of Congress understand the safety, health, and environmental benefits of Safe Routes to School. We also work closely with a number of national coalitions on a range of other issues.

However, the most effective advocate on any of these issues is you—please review our Toolkit for Building Congressional Champions for step-by-step instructions, templates, tools, and resources to help you plan an event or meeting with your Member of Congress.

The U.S. Congress began a new legislative session in January 2009, and it is expected that a number of policy priorities relevant to Safe Routes to School will be considered during the next two years. In this section of the website, you can learn more about our key policy priorities. To learn more, simply click on the links below to access the dedicated web pages with background information, updates, and ways you can take action in support of these efforts.

• Reauthorization of Safe Routes to School: Our top priority is to strengthen and expand the federal Safe Routes to School program during consideration of the next surface transportation bill, which expires in September 2009.

• Transportation issues: We work closely with other coalitions to advocate for “big picture” transportation issues like Complete Streets, Transportation Enhancements, and building a sustainable transportation system.

• Economic stimulus package: We worked with coalitions to ensure that a portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) could be used for Safe Routes to School and bicycle/pedestrian projects. We continue to monitor the states’ usage of these funds and advocate for the use of ARRA funds for Safe Routes to School, bike/ped facilities, and complete streets.

• Climate change bill: We are working with partners in the environment and transportation communities to ensure that any legislation to address climate change and greenhouse gases will increase opportunities for bicycling and walking to reduce the impact of transportation on the planet.

• Education legislation: Federal and state education laws can help build a supportive environment for Safe Routes to School through school wellness policies, physical activity guidelines, and school siting.