Safe Routes to School

Towards Changing the Habits of an Entire Generation of School Children

Safe Routes to School

Presented by Deb Hubsmith, Coordinator Safe Routes to School National Partnership Pro Walk/Pro Bike 2006 bikesbelong.org

Safe Routes to School History

• 1970’s: Odense, Denmark cuts school-related traffic injuries and fatalities by 80% in 10 years. Other school-based programs begin in Europe • 1990’s: Sustrans develops SRTS in England, and programs begin in Australia and Canada • 1997: First Walk to School Day starts in Chicago • 1997: Transportation Alternatives starts SRTS in the Bronx, NY • 1998: Safe Ways to School begins in Florida • 1999: CA passes first state legislation for SRTS, providing $22 million/year for capital improvements • 1999: CA Department of Health Services initiates a call for applications for ten $25,000 programs

NHTSA Pilot Programs

In the year 2000, Congressman Oberstar worked with NHTSA to develop two U.S. pilot programs for SRTS – one in Marin County, CA and another in Arlington, MA. Each received $50,000 to develop and monitor a comprehensive program with the 5Es. Both programs were very successful, and provided national statistics which were used in the SAFETEA-LU campaign.

The Campaign

• 2002: America Bikes forms and SRTS becomes one of their top three priorities • 2003: Planning starts to form the SRTS National Partnership • June 2003: Congressman Oberstar introduces the Pedestrian and Cycling Equity Act with funding for Safe Routes to School and the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program • 2003-2005: Many others including America Walks, American Heart Association and AARP join fight for SRTS funding

SAFETEA-LU

SAFETEA-LU, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act – a Legacy for Users, was signed by the President on August 10, 2005. It includes $286.5 billion in transportation funding through September 2009 to be distributed throughout all fifty states, with $612 million designated for SRTS.

SRTS National Partnership

The Partnership brings together more than 200 diverse nonprofit organizations, government agencies, businesses and professionals to advance the Safe Routes to School national movement.

Safe Routes to School

Partner affiliates have signed our Consensus Statement for SRTS and our MOU. We are the voice of the people, the practitioners of SRTS.

Steering Committee National Groups

• Active Living by Design • America Walks • Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals • Bikes Belong Coalition • National Center for Bicycling and Walking • League of American Bicyclists • Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Steering Committee State and Local Groups

• Bicycle Transportation Alliance (Oregon) • Michigan Fitness Foundation • Texas Bicycle Coalition • Chicagoland Bicycle Federation • Marin County Bicycle Coalition • Metro Atlanta SRTS Coalition • WalkBoston

The 5 Es

The most successful programs incorporate the 5Es: • • Evaluation Education • • Encouragement Engineering • Enforcement

Partnership Accomplishments

• More than 200 diverse partners • Website, bikesbelong.org (launched on 8/10/05) • SRTS E-News (monthly publication) • Fielded hundreds of inquiries • Influenced Federal SRTS Guidance to States • Developed Resources for Implementation • Presented at Conference and to Coordinators • Teleconference trainings on working with DOTs • Commented on Federal SRTS Surveys and Studies • Created a plan for developing SRTS State Networks

Annual Meeting on 9/8/06

At our annual meeting on September 8, 2006, the SRTS National Partnership will formally adopt: • Our Governance Structure • A four-year Strategic Plan (2007-2010) • Goals for the federal SRTS program through SAFETEA-LU

The SRTS Challenge

The federal SRTS program provides a total of $612 million for five fiscal years (2005 – 2009). We have limited time to ensure that SRTS programs are successful throughout the U.S. Get involved!

SRTS State Networks

We are encouraging organizations and leaders in states focused on health, education, and bicycle/pedestrian issues to form SRTS State Networks to work collaboratively and productively with their DOT on SRTS.

SRTS Program Guidance

FHWA has provided guidance to state DOTs for program development that will help you advocate for the best possible state SRTS program. Here are four key elements:

#1: SRTS Coordinator

Be sure that your state hires a full-time SRTS Coordinator, using a portion of the infrastructure funding, and get to know your Coordinator well. As of 9/1/06: • 41 states have hired coordinators • 8 states have interim coordinators (AR, CO, DE, DC, HI, ND, OK, and TX) • 2 states have no one designated to work on SRTS (NH and SD)

#2A: Multi-Disciplinary Coordination

Ask your state to form an Advisory Committee to create long-range plans for SRTS and to develop the application guidelines, program rules, and evaluation structure.

#2B: Public Involvement in Project Selection

Make sure that your state’s Advisory Committee will assist with project selection for funded grant applications.

#3: Infrastructure and Non Infrastructure Funding Programs

• One agency/one application • One agency/two applications • Multiple agency/split program* • Phased program *

A State Health Department or nonprofit organization can manage the distribution of a state’s non-infrastructure funding.

#4: Leveraging Additional Federal Funding

These other flexible federal funds can be used for SRTS programs: • Transportation Enhancements Program • Surface Transportation Program • Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program • Equity Bonus Funds • Highway Safety Improvement Program • NHTSA 402 Traffic Safety funds

Advocates can help to influence the allocation of these funds. For example, each state is required to create a Strategic Highway Safety Plan with broad stakeholder involvement for programming the HSIP funds.

Strategies to Build Success

• Develop a SRTS State Network, including public health partners.

• Work directly with your DOT.

• Develop large-scale educational and encouragement programs.

• Create comprehensive pilot programs.

• Nurture SRTS Champions.

• Generate media attention about needs and successes.

• Keep your Congressional members informed.

• Get good data from programs!

Join the Partnership

• Visit bikesbelong.org

join. It’s free!

to • Contact me at

[email protected]

• Primary funding for the SRTS National Partnership has been generously provided by the Bikes Belong Coalition.