Ohio
Ohio Safe Routes to School State Network
Ohio is one of seven jurisdictions participating in the Safe Routes to School state network project (network project), funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Ohio has been a network state since 2012. The network project's goal is to advance state-level policy reform, resulting in the award and obligation of federal transportation funds, street-scale improvements and joint-use agreements.
To view the most updated version of the Ohio Safe Routes Action Plan, click here. To view the most recent Partner/Member Appendix, click here. You can follow activities of the Ohio Safe Routes to School state network in our blog section and on the upcoming state-specific website; this site will features Ohio meeting announcements, information and local success stories.
Quick Links 
Safe Routes to School Funding in Ohio | Other Statewide and Regional Programs | Success Stories | Ohio Partner Affiliates | Existing Legislation and Policies
Safe Routes to School Funding in Ohio
To learn more about how Federal funding works, read through the Five Steps to Federal Funding: A Brief Explanation of the Safe Routes to School Program Process. You can find additional resources in our national learning network too.
Managed by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Ohio's federally-funded Safe Routes to School program is the source for state and district contact details, federal Safe Routes to School funding amounts, Safe Routes to School applications and guidelines, and state Safe Routes to School program information.
To see Ohio's Safe Routes to School federal funding, including total funding available, awarded and obligated to date, look at our State of the States quarterly tracking report.
Application Guidelines
2013 Funding Round to Open in January 2013: Safe Routes to School applications will be accepted from January 1, 2013 to March 1, 2013 for the next round of funding. Visit the Ohio Safe Routes to School program website for application information.
Since 2005, 485 projects totaling approximately $48 million have been selected for funding in Ohio. To view the complete list of awards, click here. To view Ohio's Safe Routes to School radius maps, click here.
Visit the Ohio Safe Routes to School program website for more information.
State Advisory Committee
Ohio has formed a State Advisory Committee that includes representatives from: the Departments of Health, Education and Public Safety, the Ohio School Facilities Commission, advocacy groups, education, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, as well as ODOT personnel.
State Outreach Programs
NEW! SRTS Lesson Plans and Educational Resources! The Ohio Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School “Every Move You Make, Keep It Safe” educational outreach effort has added a exciting resource - Safe Routes to School Lesson Guides for grades K-8, that are aligned with the Ohio Academic Content Standards! Other resources offered include Ohio Youth show choir video, Travel Tips and other materials, is designed to make learning walking and bicycling safety easy and appealing to help more young students enjoy the benefits these activities bring.
Ohio Department of Transportation/LTAP Workshops: The Ohio Department of Transportation offers training programs to schools, districts, health departments and local governments seeking to create safer environments around their schools and in their community for students walking or biking to school. To schedule training or get more information on the programs listed below, click here.
Walking School Bus Training
School Crossing Guard Training *NEW*
Evaluation Methods
Applicants are encouraged to submit evaluation data using the National Center for Safe Routes to School Student Arrival and Departure Tally Sheet and Parent Survey. ODOT requires awarded projects and STP’s to use the online evaluation tools.
Other Statewide and Regional Programs
Columbus Public Health Safe Routes to School Program - Safe Routes to School in the Classroom, adopted by Columbus Public School District
Cincinnati Public Schools - Safe Routes to School Program
Success Stories
If you would like to submit a success story for consideration, please email it to Kate Moening.
Safe Routes to School Upcoming Funding Round!
The Ohio Department of Transportation will accept applications for SRTS projects From January 1 through March 1, 2013. The online application process for schools/communities with approved school travel plans (STPs) will be for $8 million dollars of total funding, and applicants may be eligible for funding up to 100 percent of project cost. To find out more about school travel plans, the application process and to apply, visit the Ohio Safe Routes to School program webpage.
Chagrin Falls wins National Oberstar Award!
August 22, 2012 - Chagrin Falls, Ohio has been awarded the Safe Routes to School National Oberstar Award by the National Center for Safe Routes to School! This national award recognizes outstanding and innovative achievement in promoting safe walking and biking to school, and is the highest honor a Safe Routes to School program can receive. For more information, click here.
ODOT Awards $16 million in 2012 Safe Routes to School funding!
May 30, 2012 - The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced the awarding of $16 million in anticipated federal transportation funds for 68 projects through the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program- the highest single year funding of Safe Routes to School projects ever - Click here for more information!
"Every Move You Make, Keep It Safe" Video wins 2012 Award!
The Ohio Department of Transporation's "Every Move You Make, Keep it Safe" video won a Central Ohio Public Relations Society of America Best of Show Award in April, 2012- click here to watch!
Ohio Partner Affiliates
Find out which organizations in your state have pledged their support for the Safe Routes to School movement. If your organization isn't yet a partner affilate, we would love for you to join us; it's free! Find more info on joining here.
Existing Legislation and Policies
Ohio Bicycle Laws - Compiled by the Ohio Bicycle Federation
Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) - Complete Streets Policy
Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) - Complete Streets Policy