Key takeaway:

• Bicycle trains significantly increase children’s cycling to school and overall daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA).

Abstract: The commentary suggests two primary policy issues that must be addressed nationally. 

Marin County’s Safe Routes to School Program has been successful in promoting walking and biking to school. Much of the program’s success can be attributed to the contributions made by parents, teachers, and community volunteers.

The federal Safe Routes to School program provides funds to support programs in each state to ensure that it is safe and easy for children to walk and bicycle to school.

In a March 2012 research brief, Impact of State Laws on Walking and Bicycling to School, Active Living Research was the first to examine the impact of state laws on walking and bicycling to school among a national sample of elementary schools in the United States.

A March 2012 research brief by Active Living Research, Impact of the Walking School Bus Program on Children’s Pedestrian Safety Behaviors, reported that parents listed their children’s safety as one of the top concerns regarding walking to school, and that improving safety may lead more parents to allow their children to walk to school. 

This article describes strategies for risk management in implementing Safe Routes to School programs.