Maine

Maine SRTS Program

Maine’s federally, state, and locally funded Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is managed by the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT). This page is the source for state coordinator contact details, federal SRTS funding amounts, SRTS applications and guidelines, and state SRTS program information.

Quick Links

Maine SRTS Federal Funding  |  Application Guidelines
State Advisory Committee  |  State Outreach Programs
Evaluation Methods  |  Maine Partner Affiliates
Legislation and Policies

Maine SRTS Federal Funding

Maine’s SRTS funding from FY2005-2009* totals $4,990,000 and includes the following annual apportionments:

* Funding for SRTS is being continued into FY2010 at FY2009 levels.

Application Guidelines

Every two years (those ending in even numbers), communities around the state are offered the opportunity to apply for the next round of Federal Safe Routes to School funding for infrastructure improvements such as sidewalks, bike lanes, traffic calming, improved signage and crossings, etc. If you think improvements like these would increase safety and get more students walking and biking to your school(s), contact the State Coordinator to learn more. The Safe Routes to School program can share additional details about this opportunity and arrange a site visit from the Safe Routes to School team and MaineDOT engineers to evaluate needs and potential solutions in your community.

Site visits with MaineDOT and the Safe Routes to School team are encouraged at any time in the two year period. These meetings are very helpful in pulling the right people to the table and conducting a site walk to evaluate potential solutions to improve safety.

The Maine SRTS program accepts only applications for infrastructure projects because Maine has an established statewide non-infrastructure program.

Maine was one of the first states to begin a Safe Routes to School program before the Federal Program funding was established. In 2003, Maine voters approved $500,000 for infrastructure projects throughout the State that helped fund 20 projects. Under the Federal Safe Routes to School Program there are currently 33 projects in progress statewide totaling $2.5M. Maine voters approved another $200,000 bond in June 2008 to supplement the federal funding.

For more information, please see Maine’s SRTS program.

State Advisory Committee

In place of a State Advisory Committee, Maine has a “Stakeholder Group.” The purpose of the Safe Routes to School Statewide Stakeholder Group is to bring agencies and people together that share the goal of increasing the safety and ability of children to walk and bicycle to school and after school activities to help create healthier lifestyles. The goal is to work together to identify policies and practices that can improve the health of Maine’s children.

State Outreach Programs

MaineDOT contracts with the Bicycle Coalition of Maine to assist with the safety education and encouragement programs through:

• Technical assistance with organizing walk and bike to school events
• Monthly e-newsletters outlining program elements and opportunities
• Coordination with the Maine Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Education program
• Assistance with developing School Travel Plans and infrastructure funding applications
• Send out supporting materials to schools statewide including posters to announce events, incentives including safety stickers, bookmarks, and take-home safety activity booklets
• Hosting annual and regional trainings and webinars.

Over 100 schools participate in the Safe Routes to School encouragement events. The MaineDOT Office of Communication develops all media messages, graphics, newsletters, and posters using state resources.

From 2001-2003, MaineDOT lead the “Safe Ways to School” research study on bicycling and walking to school. Every year MaineDOT, in cooperation with other state agencies and the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, coordinates a Maine SRTS leadership training/Active Communities Conference that welcomes over 160 participants from throughout the state. Maine’s Governor has proclaimed one week in May as “Maine Walk and Bike to School Week” every year since 2003.

In 2004, 2007, and 2008, MaineDOT coordinated Maine SRTS leadership training/Conferences that welcomed over 80 participants from 51 different jurisdictions within the state. Maine Governor John Baldacci has proclaimed the second week of May as “Maine Walk and Bike to School Week” every year since 2003.

Evaluation Methods

Local municipalities conduct student travel counts before and after each infrastructure project along with keeping track of how many schools participate in encouragement programs.

Maine Partner Affiliates

Find out which organizations in your state have pledged their support for the Safe Routes to School movement.

Legislation and Policies

Maine recently passed an improvement to bicycle and pedestrian safety laws that now requires a three-foot minimum clearance for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Based on federal law and guidance, Maine also has a highway policy that evaluates how bicycle and pedestrian access is accommodated with each highway project and includes shoulders and sidewalks where warranted.