Those of us who have been in the field of bicycle and pedestrian advocacy for a while are quite familiar with the growing body of research connecting health to the built environment.

In every county of Southern California, Pauline and I are witnessing a groundswell of support for Safe Routes to School. One of the key signs of this increasing interest is the creation of countywide coalitions formed around Safe Routes to School, healthy eating and active living.

Change is inevitable, it is said. It is how we choose to adapt to this change that is central in the New York Times bestseller “Who Moved My Cheese?” that eloquently describes our instinctual response to change through a parable about two mice and two mini-people whose cheese supply has been moved.

The Florida Safe Routes to School program is lucky to have Sarita Taylor. While she may be new to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Safety Office in Tallahassee, she is not new to Safe Routes to School. She brings an impressive history from FDOT District 1.

Another summer is behind us. My daughter is being reminded of what the world looks like at 7:00am as we implement a plan to get her back on a school schedule before the alarm clock rudely does its job on Tuesday, September 4.

This fall marks 20 years since I moved to California. I was born in Manhattan and grew up there and in New Jersey – learning important lessons about taking initiative and being direct - but I always had an eye toward the west and a fascination with the innovative ideas and policies that often originate in California and then go nationwide. 

Co-authored with Kathy Cooke, network coordinator - One of the most common interests shared by staff at the Safe Routes Partnership is a love of books. Reading books, belonging to book clubs, haunting book stores when we're not working -- you name it.

October is my favorite time of year. Fall has finally arrived, as well as the state fair in the great state of Texas. One other huge reason I love the month of October is that Wednesday, October 3 is Walk and Bike to School Day.

Since it is now past October 1 and the MAP-21 transportation law is officially in effect, I was hoping to blog this month about the guidance from US Department of Transportation.  Guidance provides additional information to the states about how to implement Transportation Alternat

Today, the US Department of Transportation released its interim guidance, which provides states with additional information on how to implement the new transportation bill, MAP-21. Overall the guidance should be helpful to states and MPOs as they implement the bill and there is some good news in the guidance.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School program (LASRTS) will open the 7^th cycle of funding January 2, 2013. Throughout the first six application cycles, LASRTS has funded 65 applicants; providing improvements to 88 schools around the state. Louisiana expects to fund more than $2 million in projects in the 2013 application cycle. Applications are due March 1, 2013.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday – not just because of the delicious food and the afternoon nap on the couch. As we kick off the month of gift giving and celebration that is the holiday season this day is very simply about quality time with family and friends and giving thanks.

A Special Invitation

It is important to assess where we are, where we have been and where we are going. This time of year naturally leads us to those thoughts. At the risk of being cliché, I welcome the opportunity to think about what worked well with the Greater Washington, DC network in 2012 and what we might do differently in 2013.