Safe Routes to School

crossing street

Safe Routes to School is an initiative that works to make it safe, convenient, and fun for children to walk and bicycle to and from schools. The goal is to get more children walking and bicycling to school,  improve kids' safety, and increase health and physical activity.

As the stats bear out, kids today have become less active, less independent, and less healthy. In 1969, nearly 50 percent of all children in the United States (and nearly 90 percent of those within a mile of school) walked or bicycled to school. Today, that number has plummeted to fewer than 15 percent. During the morning commute, driving to school represents 10-14 percent of traffic on the road.

Studies show that Safe Routes to School programs are effective at increasing rates of bicycling and walking to school and decreasing injuries.

Concerned by the long-term health and traffic consequences of this trend, in 2005 Congress approved funding for implementation of Safe Routes to School programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Though there have been policy shifts, Safe Routes to School is still eligible for funding under the current federal transportation bill. Communities use funds to construct new bicycle lanes, pathways, and sidewalks, and launch Safe Routes to School education, promotion, and enforcement campaigns.

At the local level, Safe Routes to School practitioners run education and encouragement programs with families and schools and push for strong municipal and district policies to support safe walking and bicycling.  The most successful Safe Routes to School programs incorporate the Six E’s: evaluation, education, encouragement, engineering, engagement, and equity. At the regional and state level, Safe Routes to School practitioners work to find new funding and ensure proper spending of existing funding for Safe Routes to School.  And at the federal level, the Safe Routes Partnership and its allies maintain a steady voice for policy and funding support and provide a source of expert help, ideas, and resources for leaders at all levels.

featured resources

Fact Sheet
Walking, Riding, and Rolling for a New Generation: How to Partner with Youth on Safe Routes Projects

Young people are interested in safe walking, biking, rolling, riding, and driving. Talking with teens about their travel habits reveals two competing priorities: teens’ desires to be independent and their parent's and caregivers’ desires to keep them safe. This guide spotlights youth-led traffic safety projects from across the country and offers strategies for how Safe Routes practitioners can champion youth-led safety projects like Safe Routes to School and advocacy campaigns. 

Webinar
Let Them Lead: Engaging High School Students in Safe Routes Projects

Wednesday, May 10th from 2 - 3 pm ET

Did you hear the news? High schools are now eligible for federal Safe Routes to School funding! This means new possibilities for connecting Safe Routes to issues teens care about, from climate justice to distracted driving to digital media. Join us as we explore best practices for working with high school students. Learn about building trust, getting program buy-in, and giving teens what they need to lead their own projects. Plus, we will share some inspiring youth-led projects from across the country!

Webinar
Safe Routes to School Spring 2023 Zoom Networking Session

Wednesday, April 19th at 2-3 pm ET

The days are longer, the weather is warmer, and National Bike Month is just around the corner! Let’s get ready for Spring programming by gathering virtually to discuss what’s going on in the world of Safe Routes to School. Join us for an informal Zoom session to connect with other Safe Routes to School practitioners. Share your program successes and challenges, swap resources, brainstorm project ideas, and let us know how the Partnership can support your work going forward.

Webinar
Bike-Ped Meets Higher Ed: Partnering with Colleges and Universities on Safe Routes to School

Tuesday, April 25th from 11 am - 12 pm MT

From research and evaluation to curriculum design and GIS mapping, academic institutions can offer a number of valuable resources to Safe Routes to School programs. And the best part is, they want to get involved! Join us as we explore how college and university partnerships can increase your program capacity and turn innovative ideas into action.

Webinar
Lobbying Rules and Electoral Activities for 501(c)(3)

Wednesday, March 15th from 3pm-4pm ET 

Nonprofits are allowed to do electoral activities- like candidate surveys and forums, but there are some rules around it.