September 2017

Safe Routes to School E-News
Issue #139: September 2017

Safe Routes to School E-News is a monthly email newsletter published by the Safe Routes Partnership. We are also on Facebook and Twitter. Join us!

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  1. Walk and Bike Back to School This Fall
  2. Give Children the Freedom and Safety to Move
  3. Crunch Time for Congress and the States
  4. Two California Bills Would Advance Biking and Walking
  5. Register for Our Next Webinar: Increasing Physical Activity Through Shared Use in Ohio
  6. Fire Up Your Feet is Back in Nevada and Michigan
  7. Get Grimy Day is September 8
  8. Youth Bike Summit: September 6-8
  9. Featured Partner: Fitivities

1. Walk and Bike Back to School This Fall

As schools all over America reopen their doors, parents and kids are talking together about balancing physical activity and safety, and the need for communities that support both. Looking for support and tools to help you create a culture of walking and biking to school? We can help!

  • Start a Walking School Bus program to welcome families to the world of walking to school. Our step-by-step guide outlines how to plan and implement a walking school bus for your school, and includes proven tools, tips and resources for a fast and easy start. 
  • Figure out what needs to happen at your school to get more kids walking and biking. Ask questions like: Are there sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike paths to help kids get around safely? Do kids feel safe and protected from harassment and bullying while they walk and bike? Use our guide on how Safe Routes to School can protect kids from street harassment to help identify ways to make streets welcoming to all kids.
  • Get ready for Walk to School Day on October 4! Visit walkbiketoschool.org to register your event and access tools, ideas, and resources on walking to school.

2. Give Children the Freedom and Safety to Move!

“It’s movement that’s important and will contribute to high student achievement and wellbeing, so it’s important to me to make sure that kids don’t just sit at a computer all day,” said Miriam Hughey-Guy, academic advisor and retired principal in Middleburg, VA.

Our children were born to move and the journey to and from school should be no exception. Join us to ensure more communities are able to have active, thriving Safe Routes to School programs.

We can’t stop now. Join us to ensure more communities are able to have active, thriving Safe Routes to School programs.


3. Crunch Time for Congress and the States

After spending August in their districts, Members of Congress face a packed agenda in September. Read our federal policy blog for more on plans to move forward on federal transportation spending, tax reform, and infrastructure. It’s also a critical time for states: they must use $130 million in TAP funding by the end of September or lose it. See how your state is doing!


4. Two California Bills Would Advance Biking and Walking

The Safe Routes Partnership’s California team is working to advance two bills in the California state legislature. The first, AB 390, would allow pedestrians to start crossing the street during the flashing portion of a crosswalk signal so long as they complete the crossing before the “Don’t Walk” signal is displayed. Under existing law, those crossings are illegal, which has allowed ticketing stings that often disproportionately impact people of color. The bill passed the Assembly and has moved on to the state Senate. 
 
The California team will also be working closely with our partners CalBike, California Walks, and American Heart Association to push for the passage of SB 760. This bill would align the state’s road repair program (called SHOPP) with the state’s goals to triple walking and biking by 2020.  By prioritizing accessibility improvements for repair, the bill would mean more funding for projects that make it safer to walk and bike.  It would also incorporate Complete Streets requirements into some state codes, plans, and manuals, and create an Active Transportation Division to oversee the integration of Complete Streets into the state’s transportation programs and performance measures.


5. Register for Our Next Webinar: Increasing Physical Activity Through Shared Use in Ohio

On Wednesday, September 27, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Eastern, the Safe Routes Partnership is hosting a free webinar:
 
Shared Use Ambassador Highlight: Ohio Department of Health, Creating Healthy Communities Program
 
This webinar will highlight our first Shared Use Ambassador Organization, the Ohio Department of Health, Creating Healthy Communities Program, and their commitment to shared use policy adoption, implementation, advocacy, and education in communities with chronic disease concerns. Register here.


6. Fire Up Your Feet is Back in Nevada and Michigan!

Elementary and middle schools in Nevada and Michigan can earn cash awards to support walking, biking, and physical activity by participating in the Safe Routes Partnership’s Fire Up Your Feet Fall Activity Challenge. It’s free to participate, and your school could win cash awards to support walking, biking, and physical activity programs. Register today!


7. Get Grimy Day is September 8

The fourth and final event of PeopleForBikes' Bike Days of Summer campaign​ is ​Get Grimy Day. Celebrate the end of summer on Sept. 8 by riding through the dirt and mud. Visit peopleforbikes.org/grimyfor more info.


8. Featured Partner: Fitivities

Fitivities creator, Sandy “Spin” Slade, combined her love of board games with her passion for fitness to create this one-of-a-kind game experience. Fitivities integrates physical activities into a group game setting for people of all ages, offering the buzz of a board game, with the perks of a workout. With FITIVITIES and some good company, a little exercise is finally a lot of fun.
 
Enjoy this special offer from Fitivities plus benefit the Safe Routes Partnership at the same time: $5 discount for you plus a 5% proceed back to the Safe Routes Partnership.  Use code: SRTS16. Details here.


9. Youth Bike Summit: October 6-8

A 3-day conference geared toward youth, bikes, education, advocacy, and leadership. People from different disciplines, backgrounds, and ages gather together to learn, share, network, and explore how bicycling can be a catalyst for positive social change. Learn more.