Safe Routes to School – Walk and Bike to School Program
Safe Routes to School is a statewide effort among Maine communities to increase bicycling and walking to school for improved public safety, public health, fiscal responsibility, and a cleaner environment. In partnership with the Maine Department of Transportation, the Bicycle Coalition provides staff support and resources to schools and communities to increase the number of students walking and bicycling to school. Walking and bicycling is a great way for kids to be healthy and enjoy Maine’s beautiful outdoors! To be inspired by local Safe Routes to School programming efforts, check out this 2010-2011 Photo Essay on Maine Schools.
Contact Us
To learn more about how your school or community can begin a Safe Routes to School program, please contact:
Subscribe to our e-Newsletter and keep up-to-date with the latest from Safe Routes!
Why Safe Routes to School?
Starting a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is an opportunity to make walking and bicycling to school safer for children and to increase the number of children who choose to walk and bicycle. On a broader level, SRTS programs:
- boost academic performance & improve classroom behavior (see here and here for more on the supporting research)
- increase student physical activity levels & help address Maine’s high childhood obesity rate
- decrease carbon emissions and air pollution – subsequently decreasing childhood respiratory events
- ease traffic congestion, enhance student transportation choice, & save school districts money on busing costs
For Schools & Communities
Every community finds their own way of starting a Safe Routes program:
- Menu of Safe Routes Possibilities for Maine Schools – Quick overview of and direct resources for the various options and activities you could pursue regarding Encouragement, Education, Enforcement, Engineering, and Evaluation – to boost the number of students safely walking and bicycling to school in your community.
- Walk & Bike to School Events – Is your school considering starting a Walk & Bike To School event? Check out this helpful Walk & Bike to School – Event Description & Checklist.
- Maine School Travel Plan – A dynamic, community-building method to identify your school’s priorities for how to get more students walking and biking to school. Perhaps the most sustainable way to build your Safe Routes program. Find the Maine School Travel Plan here. Also check out these Walkability and Bikeability Checklists.
- Walk and Bike Safety Handouts/Education – Check out the colorful and informative Be a Safe Walker and Be a Safe Bike Driver handouts for students (and you can request them from the Bike Coalition as well). And definitely contact our Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Education Program to bring great bike-ped safety education to your school’s classrooms and for help with Bike Safety Fairs! Also check out this great bike safety overview for parents from the national Active Living Resource Center.
- Safety Patrols – Encouraged by the National Center for Safe Routes to School and AAA – for more information on trying a Safety Patrol at your school check out this information on the National site and the recommended AAA Safety Patrol Manual
- SRTS Infrastructure Funding Opportunity - If your community is interested in making infrastructure improvements within 2 miles of a school to make walking and biking safer for students (e.g. for sidewalks, signage, crossings, bike lanes, traffic calming, etc., and here are a couple of local examples) – please contact us to arrange for a site visit and see here for tips for preparing for the next SRTS funding application. Also join our mailing list to be notified of this once-every-two year Safe Routes to School funding opportunity. In Spring/Summer 2012 MaineDOT applications will be made available to municipalities for construction funding for physical infrastructure improvements, contact us if interested.
- Grant Opportunities - Join our newsletter mailing list to be notified when we hear about other funding opportunities.
- Children’s Books that Incorporate Walking and/or Bicycling – check out this fun list
 Safety Tip:
Dress Bright for Safety
- Wear light or bright-colored clothing so you can be seen
- Tuck away shoelaces or other strings or cords so they don’t dangle
- Wear snug clothes
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Inspiration from Local Programs
Other Helpful Links
Upcoming Events
For most up-to-date information please look at our most current newsletter above!
- May 14-18, 2012 – Maine Walk & Bike to School Week – look for sign-in and events info on this site and in our e-newsletter (please subscribe if you don’t get it already!)
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