Happy new year! January 3rd marked the start of the 118th Congress, and we are enthusiastic about our ongoing work to keep Safe Routes to School relevant and prioritized in federal policy. As we shared last month, the majority of our legislative priorities were included in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, so this year, we are working toward the following:
The start of a new year is an inspiring time. We embrace this moment as a fresh start, setting ambitious resolutions to adopt positive or healthy habits in our everyday lives. We hope these changes will eventually lead us to become healthier, happier, or kinder individuals. With enthusiasm and gusto, we take significant leaps to realize our newfound commitments.
On Tuesday, January 24th from 11 am to noon Mountain, the Colorado Department of Transportation is hosting a free webinar presented by the Safe Routes Partnership.
With the Georgia Senate runoff results decided on December 6, 2022, the mid-term election officially comes to a close, and we can take stock of what it means for walking, bicycling, and Safe Routes to School in this upcoming Congress.
On Wednesday, December 14th from 11 am to noon Mountain, the Colorado Department of Transportation is hosting a free webinar presented by the Safe Routes Partnership.
Last month, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) concluded its 2022 Go Human Mini-Grants Program, which funded 26 safety and engagement projects a
Every quarter, we look at how state departments of transportation (DOTs) are getting Transportation Alternatives Program money out the door so that it can build biking and walking infrastructure and support Safe Routes to School programs. Here’s the scoop on what we track and why it matters for state and local bicycle, pedestrian, and Safe Routes to School advocates updated to account for changes to the program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
November 2022 marks the first anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and we are celebrating by unveiling our new Transportation Alternatives Program tracking tool!
In 1969, the Nixon Administration hosted the first ever White House Conference on Hunger, and it resulted in the creation of the school lunch program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). In September 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration held the first White House Conference on Hunger since that initial conference over fifty years ago and established ambitious, yet attainable goals.
On Wednesday, November 30th from 11 am to noon Mountain, the Colorado Department of Transportation is hosting a free webinar presented by the Safe Routes Partnership.
Communities are healthier when people can use and access parks and green spaces. This resource provides actionable strategies and inspiring examples for public health agencies to take an active role in their communities’ Safe Routes to Parks efforts.
States manage significant funding that can support Safe Routes to Parks. This factsheet lays out how states can use grant guides and project election criteria to prioritize projects backed by meaningful community engagement.
Funding reflects priorities. State funding allocations, grant programs, project selection criteria, and technical assistance programs shape communities across the state. This fact sheet covers how states prioritize goals like equity, local planning, and project implementation by incentivizing actions that move communities toward those goals. It includes examples from multiple states to serve as inspiration and ideas for how to connect these approaches to Safe Routes to Parks initiatives.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law made many positive changes to the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), including a new requirement that states define high-need communities and prioritize them in TAP project selection. Use this factsheet to see how states currently define high-need communities as part of their TAP application process and the variety of opportunities states can use to prioritize and support them.
Federal funding for local park, trail, and active transportation projects can be transformative for a community! This fact sheet profiles several
federal funding sources that have the potential to support infrastructure improvements that increase access to everyday destinations, especially parks and greenspace.
As ever, the end of the federal fiscal year has been busy with hearings, budget debates, and states running competitions for federal funding. To keep you in the loop across a variety of topics, here are a few headlines related to Safe Routes to School, walking, and bicycling at the federal level.
One of my favorite parts of Safe Routes to School is celebrating community. In my day-to-day work, I’m inspired by stories of Safe Routes programs bringing people together. Parents and engineers going on walk audits. School staff and elected officials celebrating Walk and Roll to School Day. Safe Routes to School coordinators and rotary club members installing new bike racks. Neighbors and non-profits organizing school streets pilot projects.
A couple of weekends ago, I took my son out for a special mom-and-son breakfast. As is typical of a four-year-old, he is on his millionth question of the day when he asks the waiter what his name is.
On Tuesday, October 25th from 11 am - 12 pm MT, the Colorado Department of Transportation is hosting a free webinar presented by the Safe Routes Partnership
