Minnesota

Minnesota SRTS State Network
Minnesota is one of twenty jurisdictions participating in the SRTS National Partnership Network Project. This initiative creates state networks that bring together advocacy groups, government agencies, and other leaders.

Minnesota SRTS Program
Managed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN/DOT), Minnesota’s federally funded Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is the source for state coordinator contact details, federal SRTS funding amounts, SRTS applications and guidelines, and state SRTS program information.

Minnesota Partner Affiliates
Find out which organizations in your state have pledged their support as partner affiliates of the Safe Routes to School National Partnership.

Minnesota SRTS State Network

Minnesota is one of the twenty jurisdictions participating in the SRTS National Partnership State Network Project. The SRTS State Network Organizer works for their sponsoring organization, which is under contract with the SRTS National Partnership.

Minnesota State Network Policy Achievements:

This promotional piece highlights Minnesota's state network policy achievements.

Key outcomes for the MN Network include the following:

• The network organizer partnered with the Active Transportation Coordinator (ATC) and the Physical Activity Coordinator (both of which are employees of Minnesota Department of Health), co-facilitated 6 regional trainings in January and May 2011 to support the planning and development of comprehensive school travel plans. Workshops occurred in 6 locations across Minnesota (Mankato, Marshall, Edina, Alexandria, Moose Lake, and Clouquet). A total of 101 people, representing an estimated 20 teams, attended the four workshops. Based on workshops surveys, participants all indicated an increase in their understanding of assembling a team, assessment, goal setting, and the 5 E’s.
• The regional workshops provided additional outcomes for the network. Specifically, they led to increased membership for the Minnesota Network. The network connected local advocates with additional SRTS resources, such as the local League of American Bicyclists League Certified Instructor (LCI). The network is also working to improve resources for local champions, which includes a Minnesota-specific SRTS handbook. This document includes basic SRTS information, five steps to school travel plan development, and other MN resources.
• The MN Network is also providing input with the Director of the Bicycle Pedestrian division to improve the administration of the SRTS federal funds. We are continuing strategic planning to coordinate the efforts of Mn/DOT, the MN Department of Health and the MN SRTS Network.

Minnesota SRTS Program

Managed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN/DOT), Minnesota’s federally funded Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is the source for state coordinator contact details, federal SRTS funding amounts, SRTS applications and guidelines, and state SRTS program information.

Quick Links

In the News  |  Minnesota SRTS Federal Funding
Application Guidelines  |  State Advisory Committee
Evaluation Methods  |  Success Stories and Best Practices
Minnesota Partner Affiliates

In the News

Spotlight on Minnesota

SRTS making big strides through collaboration across the state.

Minnesota is working hard to increase the number of kids safely walking or bicycling to school. Minnesota has three significant efforts to support their vision.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) has completed four rounds of SRTS funding. So far, Mn/DOT has 70% ($5.975 million) of their SRTS funds obligated. Overall, 97 projects in 76 communities have received funding to improve intersections, provide updated signals and incorporate other traffic calming techniques. Merry Daher, Mn/DOT’s SRTS Coordinator expects the next solicitation to take place in spring 2011.

Simultaneously, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is entering the second year of the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) which is providing $47 million across all of its 86 counties and seven tribal communities to implement strategies focusing on policy, systems and environmental changes to make a sustainable, lasting impact on the state’s obesity and tobacco crisis. Nearly one third of communities are implementing “active transportation to/ from schools” and half are supporting development of “active communities.” In one example, Dakota County has supported 10 schools in developing comprehensive travel plans that incorporate SRTS. At least 181 schools across the state are actively engaged in implementing SRTS or walking school bus policies that will increase opportunities for children to walk or bicycle to school. These schools serve at least 79,000 students, or almost 10% of Minnesota’s student population.

The recently formed MN SRTS State Network is helping to connect local initiatives with opportunities to advance state level policies. Additionally, the state network and Mn/DOT are working to provide comprehensive training to increase local capacity to implement SRTS and successfully compete in the next solicitation. The MN state network is also working to see successful implementation of the recently enacted state level complete streets policy.

Minnesota SRTS Federal Funding

Minnesota’s SRTS funding from FY2005-2009* totals $9,218,119 and includes the following annual apportionments:

* Funding for SRTS is being continued into FY2010 and FY2011 at FY2009 levels.

Application Guidelines

The Minnesota SRTS program has completed its fifth round of funding in August 2011, awarding $3.8 million to 16 communities, Mn/DOT emphasized submittals stemming from formal planning efforts and those that could demonstrate community and stakeholder support.

The Minnesota SRTS program has completed its fourth and final round of grant awards in June 2009, obligating 85% ($7.5 million) of its SRTS funds. The next solicitation should occur late in the first half of 2011 for funding of $725,000. Much emphasis will placed on submittals stemming from formal planning efforts and can demonstrate community and stakeholder support.

State Advisory Committee

Minnesota’s State Advisory Committee is made up of members from the State Departments of Education, Health, and Public Safety. The Committee is evaluating various roles and opportunities to leverage key stakeholder resources to support our goal of more children safely walking and biking.

Evaluation Methods

Minnesota does not require evaluations as part of the application process, though the Minnesota state SRTS program does use the National Center for Safe Routes to School Student Arrival and Departure Talley Sheet and Parent Survey.

Success Stories and Best Practices

Robbinsdale schools are getting kids to use leg power
A Brooklyn Center school has launched a program to get kids walking and biking. Five schools in the Robbinsdale district are also taking part. Click here to read more.

Fond du Lac Reservation Completes Safe Routes to School Plan - January 2010
There is a new addition to the diversity of SRTS planning in the State of Minnesota. The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribe has become the first Indian tribe in the State to have completed a SRTS plan. Click here to read more.

Minnesota’s State Advisory Committee is made up of members from the State Departments of Education, Health, and Public Safety. The Committee is evaluating various roles and opportunities to leverage key stakeholder resources to support our goal of more children safely walking and biking.

Minnesota Partner Affiliates

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