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State Policies: Best Practices
State policies have a profound impact on the safety, convenience, and ability of children to be able to walk and bicycle to schools. Our detailed briefs will help you assess how these important policies might be improved within your state as they relate to Safe Routes to School issues.
Application Guidelines
The federal funds for SRTS flow from the Federal Highway Administration to the State Department of Transportation (DOT). How the state DOTs set up their programs have a profound impacts on the quality of local SRTS programs and the overall number of students that are being served within the state.
Complete Streets
The planning, design, construction, and maintenance of all roadway and transit facilities, as well as developments and new schools, should consider and include the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians from the inception of the project.
Curriculum and Training Programs
Statewide curriculum and training programs provide for opportunities to integrate SRTS into school studies and other municipal activities.
Fine-Based Mechanisms
Some states have successfully funded local SRTS programs through fined-based mechanisms such as double-fine zones, and/or additional fees for red-light runners.
Legislation
Advocates can successfully work with state legislators to introduce legislation to create more funding and/or improved policies for SRTS at the state level.
School Siting
Only about 35% of students in the United States live within two miles of their school. Statewide policies on school siting, acreage requirements, joint-use, and renovations can profoundly impact the percentage of students who live within walking or bicycling distance of their school.
Strategic Highway Safety Plans
Each state DOT is required to develop a data-driven Strategic Highway Safety Plan for programming their Highway Safety Improvement fund. Some of this funding can be spent on bicycle and pedestrian safety for school children.
Wellness Policies
Federal policies mandate that each school receiving federal aide for school lunches develop a wellness policy that focuses on nutrition and physical activity. Some states have developed sample wellness policies; this provides an important avenue for promoting Safe Routes to School and institutionalizing the program at state and local levels.
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