Safe Routes to School E-News
Issue #19: July 2007
Safe Routes to school E-News is a monthly email newsletter published by the Safe Routes to School Partnership, a growing network of more than 300 non-profit organizations, government agencies, and professional groups that are working to set goals, share best practices, secure funding, and provide detailed policy input to implementing agencies for advancing the Safe Routes to School national movement.
Don’t miss the 1st Safe Routes to School National Conference: Creating, Building and Sustaining Momentum, November 5-7-2007. Sign up at: http://www.saferoutesmichigan.org/nationalconference.htm.
To receive future issues of E-News, email info@saferoutespartnership.org.
In this issue:
1. New Oberstar Climate Change Bill Passes House Committee
Act promotes complete streets, alternative fuels, and proportional rescissions
2. Harvest Foundation Supports $1.56 Million, Three-Year Complete Streets Initiative
Funding to reengineer Martinsville/Henry County Virginia to accommodate walking and bicycling
3. SRTS National Partnership’s State Network Project Update
Nine networks are now active
4. National Center for SRTS Develops Promotional Video and SRTS PowerPoint
Video and PowerPoint available for download from www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources
5. SRTS National Partnership Presents at Conferences
Sessions on SRTS are inspiring diverse audiences
6. Toronto Walk21 2007 Active & Safe Routes to School Pre-Conference Session
Please register for this international event at www.toronto.ca/walk21
7. New Mexico SRTS Program Announces First “Phase 1” Awards
Five communities involved in state program that includes SRTS Action Plans and Training
8. Michigan SRTS Middle School Pilot Underway
More than 4,000 students from five schools involved in state program
9. Safe Routes Nebraska Announces 2007 Project Awards and Statewide Resources
Thirteen infrastructure and ten non-infrastructure project receive funding support
10. SRTS News Throughout the Country
Local and state SRTS program news links
1. New Oberstar Climate Change Bill Passes House Committee
Act promotes complete streets, alternative fuels, and proportional rescissions.
On June 20, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved major legislation to reduce global warming. The Transportation Energy Security and Climate Change Mitigation Act of 2007 will promote complete streets, increased ridership on public transportation, require transportation to become more energy efficient and create incentives for the use of alternative fuel vehicles. Among the bicycle and pedestrian incentives in the bill are:
Complete Streets
A “Sense of Congress” expressing support for "Complete Streets" policies when roadways are constructed or rehabilitated. Complete streets accommodate the needs of a variety of users, including motorists, transit riders, bicyclists, pedestrians, and people of all ages and abilities.
Proportional Rescissions of FHWA Program Funds
Includes language to ensure that rescissions (READ: return) of Federal Highway funds are implemented by states proportionally. Recent state rescissions have disproportionately targeted programs such as Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality, and Transportation Enhancements, which provide significant environmental benefits and are often used for bicycle and pedestrian projects.
"Each of these is an individual modest step but added up it’s significant," said committee Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-Minn). In an effort to treat all federal-aide programs fairly, all federal highway programs will be affected by the proportional rescissions if the Act is approved, including Safe Routes to School, albeit no more and no less than other programs.
2. Harvest Foundation Supports $1.56 Million, Three-Year Complete Streets Effort
Funding to reengineer Martinsville/Henry County Virginia to accommodate walking and bicycling
The Harvest Foundation and BikeWalk Virginia today announced an innovative three-year initiative designed to improve the quality of life and economic vitality in Martinsville/Henry County Virginia. The $1.56-million initiative represents the largest investment by a foundation for this type of program, and it will begin to transform this southern Virginia community into a place with ’complete streets’ that encourages and supports a livable, healthy, and sustainable community.
"We know from experience that Virginians are yearning for communities where walking and bicycling is safe, inviting, and fun – and that such places are healthier, cleaner, greener, and more attractive to families, businesses, and tourists." says Allen Turnbull, Executive Director of BikeWalk Virginia.
BikeWalk Virginia will partner with several local and national organizations including the National Complete Streets Coalition, the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, the League of American Bicyclists, the University of North Carolina, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Harvest Foundation supports health, education, and welfare initiatives that serve our vision of cultivating Martinsville and Henry County, Virginia as a “community of choice.” For more information visit www.theharvestfoundation.org.
3. SRTS National Partnership’s State Network Project Update
Nine networks are now active
In June, inaugural meetings were held in eight states and D.C. establishing Safe Routes to School networks that are now prioritizing action steps to make walking and biking to school easier and more compelling. New groups of stakeholders were convened in many states – CA, D.C., GA, IL, KY, LA, and VA - while in TX and NY existing committees may take on network goals and activities. In these two large states, various committees are already working on aspects of our goals, and may consider taking on others, eliminating the need for another new group.
Some of the networks have already attracted many diverse members and associates. In California, 20 people attended the first meeting, including representatives from state and federal agencies such as the Departments of Health and Education, state Senate and Assembly staff, universities such as University of California-Berkeley and Irvine, nonprofits such as the Transportation and Land Use Coalition, California PTA, and the Rails to Trails Conservancy.
For many of the networks, first steps will be to help the state Department of Transportations SRTS program coordinators with outreach and convening additional stakeholders to advise the programs, then prioritizing policy issues that need attention in the state. Network volunteers will assist our State Network Organizers with research projects on existing state policies such as school siting, complete streets, and school wellness.
For more information, please contact State Network Manager Robert Ping at Robert@saferoutespartnership.org.
4. National Center for SRTS Develops Promotional Video and SRTS PowerPoint
Video and PowerPoint available for download from www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources.
The National Center for Safe Routes to School has developed two new SRTS promotional tools available on its web site. The Center has developed a promotional video to highlight the reasons "Why Safe Routes to School Matter." NCSRTS has also developed an introductory SRTS PowerPoint presentation intended for use by anyone trying to build support for a SRTS program.
Both resources highlight why the United States has seen a decrease in walking and bicycling to school, the consequences of this decrease and the ways Safe Routes to School are a part of the solution. These resources can be used to promote safe walking and bicycling to school within your community and to give an overview of the basics of Safe Routes to School.
To download the video files, which can be viewed in Windows Media, QuickTime and Flash, please visit http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/marketing_videos.cfm. To download the PowerPoint presentation, please visit http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/marketing_presentations.cfm.
5. SRTS National Partnership Presents at Conferences
Sessions on SRTS are inspiring diverse audiences
Throughout the months of May and June, the Safe Routes to School National Partnership assisted numerous organizations by presenting material on Safe Routes to School at various conferences. Our staff and Steering Committee members led sessions at the following events:
• International City/Council Managers Association, Ambassador Meeting
• BikeEd Conference of the League of American Bicyclists
• Active Living by Design’s annual grantee meeting
• US Conference of Mayors
We are also co-sponsoring the 1st SRTS National Conference in Dearborn Michigan from November 5-7 with the National Center for SRTS. The conference is hosted by the Michigan Fitness Foundation and will focus on creating, building, and sustaining momentum. For more information and to register, please see: http://www.saferoutesmichigan.org/nationalconference.htm.
6. Toronto Walk21 2007 Active & Safe Routes to School Pre-Conference Session
Please register for this international event at www.toronto.ca/walk21.
The Toronto Walk21 2007 Active & Safe Routes to School Pre-Conference workshop on October 1, 2007 is to provide a full day forum for discussion and networking around Safe Routes to School issues. We will open the session with a rousing welcome from students at Morton Way Public School, the 2006 International Walk to School Award winner and they will provide us with a challenge for the day!
We have a team of international speakers lined up, including Gil Penalosa of Walk and Bike for Life (visit http://www.walkandbikeforlife.com) and Dr. Catherine O’Brien who will talk about her ground-breaking research on the impacts of transportation on children. We will debate the merits of the Walking School Bus, School Travel Planning and we will include discussion on how to get a Safe Routes to School program off the ground.
If you are involved in a Safe Routes to School program in your country or community, then this session is definitely for you! We hope to also attract key decision makers from the areas of health, transportation, community safety and environment.
Please register for this session at http://www.toronto.ca/walk21; there is a nominal fee of $60 Canadian to cover the costs of the venue and refreshments for the day. For conference details or questions please email walk21@toronto.ca.
7. New Mexico SRTS Program Announces First “Phase 1” Awards
Five communities involved in state program that includes SRTS Action Plans and Training
On June 1, the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) selected five communities to receive the first round of SRTS funds. NMDOT received a total of nine Phase 1 applications for the first funding cycle. The applications submitted by the selected communities—Bayard, Corrales, Dexter, Gallup and Wagon Mound—demonstrated an understanding of the “5 E’s” and a strong commitment by the community, schools, and school district to work together to improve the conditions for students walking and bicycling to school.
Each community receives a $15,000 Phase 1 award for the development of a SRTS Action Plan. Once the Plan is developed and approved by NMDOT, the communities are eligible to apply for a Phase 2 award that provides up to $250,000 for infrastructure projects and up to $25,000 for non-infrastructure activities. NMDOT is contracting with a national SRTS trainer to provide training to the funded communities on how to develop the SRTS Action Plan this fall. In an effort to expand the SRTS resources and trainers, individuals interested in becoming New Mexico SRTS trainers will be invited to the fall training sessions.
For more information on the New Mexico SRTS program, please visit the website at www.nmsaferoutes.com.
8. Michigan SRTS Middle School Pilot Underway
More than 4,000 students from five schools involved in state program
Michigan’s 2007-2008 middle school pilot program is underway and includes more than 4,000 students from five schools across the state of Michigan living in rural, suburban, urban and inner city communities.
The pilot program was developed based on three components: 1) curriculum, 2) technology, and 3) youth involvement. Curriculum, aligned with SR2S goals, can be integrated into classroom lessons in areas like math, science, social studies while ensuring that curricula meet state and national education standards. The technology piece engages youth in classroom lessons in both group and individual settings that are interactive, cross discipline areas and prepare youth for the future. Youth involvement provides positive opportunities for youth-adult relationships and allows young people to be leaders and experts, as well as being involved in the team process. Each of these components leads to great alignment of resources and collaboration necessary for local and state success.
For more information about this program, please see the Michigan SRTS program website or contact Andrea Cawthray at ACawthray@michiganfitness.org.
9. Safe Routes Nebraska Announces 2007 Project Awards and Statewide Resources
Thirteen infrastructure and ten non-infrastructure project receive funding support
The Nebraska Department of Roads (www.SafeRoutesNE.com) has awarded more than $2 million in federal Safe Routes to School program funds to communities. Thirteen infrastructure projects were funded at $1.9 million, which include funding for significant sidewalk improvements, signage, and street crossings. Ten non-infrastructure projects will promote walking and biking to/from school with public awareness campaigns, parent and student education, and encouragement programs.
Safe Routes Nebraska is also excited to announce a new program web site that offers schools and communities various statewide resources that can be utilized without directly receiving safe routes funding. Resources include K-8 curriculum, Rewards Program Guide, stickers, book covers, posters, and much more! For more information about the Safe Routes Nebraska Program, please visit the web site at www.SafeRoutesNE.com or contact the State Program Coordinator, Kelly Morgan, at kmorgan@sinclairhille.com.
10. SRTS News Throughout the Country
Local and state SRTS program news links
Safe Routes to School news around the country keeps growing! Here’s a sampling of the latest in local and state SRTS program news:
SRTS Crusade for Cold Spring, California School
New Plymouth, Idaho Included in State’s First Round of SRTS Grant Awards
Lincoln, Nebraska Parent Presents True Safe Choices for Children
Baldwin City, Kansas Reviewing Safe Routes Opportunities
California SRTS Gets $45 Million from Caltrans
Montana Junior High Gets Safer Routes
NY Child Fatality Report Cites SRTS as Important Initiative
Indiana’s Tell City-Troy Township School Board Considers New Walking to School Policy Changes
Help Grow the Partnership!
Joining the Partnership is free. Please encourage other organizations, schools, businesses, and government agencies to become a partner affiliate of the Safe Routes to School National Partnership. Funding for the Safe Routes to School National Partnership has been generously provided by the Bikes Belong Coalition, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and partner affiliates.
For more information, contact:
Deb Hubsmith, Coordinator
Safe Routes to School National Partnership
deb@saferoutespartnership.org
www.saferoutespartnership.org
(415) 454-7430