As I have reflected on yet another busy month with the Regional network project, I have thought about why the work the regional policy managers are doing is so unique, yet so pivotal, at this point in time.

The Massachusetts Safe Routes to School program has expanded rapidly over the past year and is poised to surpass the 500 partner mark by the end of 2012. Currently, 485+ schools are participating in the program, serving 42 percent of communities throughout the Commonwealth, impacting more than 220,000 children annually.

The Safe Routes to School movement and interest in improving the built environment continue to grow. Here are two resources that I’m sure the field will be excited about:

The seven states that comprise the state network project are all moving at a fast pace. Since the state advocacy organizers began in early March, they continue to make many very key contacts throughout their states.

We love it when Safe Routes to School volunteers and champions share what is happening in their community with us!

Growing up in Berea, Ohio, I walked to school, played outside and rode my bike in our part of the Cleveland Metro Parks. My love of the outdoors and community service started there during elementary school –a park cleanup and stream restoration in the 5^th grade showed me how people can make positive changes in their community.  

A Matter of the “Heart”

Hi! Welcome to my blog.

Greetings Safe Routes Champions!  Welcome to “Blog BLF!”  

In the US, men's cycling trips surpass women's by at least 2:1. So how do we change that? We start by simply inviting women to participate. On May 13, there were 163 women-focused rides in 14 countries, including the US.

On Thursday, May 17, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) voted to approve the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) as part of the overall approval of their Regional Transportation Plan. OBAG provides roughly $800 million over four years to cities and counties in the region for transportation projects.