Safe Routes to School E-News
Issue #21: September 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 Safe Routes to School National Partnership Website Helps Communities/States Encourage Kids to Walk and Bike to School
Please update and include a link to www.saferoutespartnership.org on your website!
2. SRTS National Partnership Hires New Staff Member
Help us welcome Brooke Driesse and say goodbye to Kathy Gutowsky
3. Partnership Responds to Secretary Mary Peters
Send your own letter to support Safe Routes to School
4. Call to Action: No Child Left Behind Legislative Alert
Show your support for language in HR 3438 pertaining to physical activity and SRTS
5. SRTS National Partnership’s State Network Project Update
Networks Tackle Urgent Issues and Develop Action Plans
6. Program Tracking Brief Details State SRTS Progress
Review how your state is doing, then take action!
7. Communities Across the U.S. Commit to International Walk to School Day
More than 430 schools in 40 states registered for October 3rd celebration
8. Mississippi SRTS: On the Move!
17 Communities and 3 State Organizations Awarded Grants for SRTS Projects
9. Arkansas Announces SRTS Funding Awards
Arkansas Awards $2.3 million in funding to 37 projects
10. SRTS News Throughout the Country
Local and state SRTS program news links
1. New Safe Routes to School National Partnership Website Helps Communities/States Encourage Kids to Walk and Bike to School
Please update and include a link to www.saferoutespartnership.org on your website!
As children across the country prepared for the start of school, the Safe Routes to School National Partnership is taking steps to make their trip to school a healthier activity. On August 22, 2007, the Partnership launched a new Web site (www.saferoutespartnership.org) to help parents, schools, local and state governments, and advocacy groups implement programs that will encourage more kids to walk and bike to and from school.
“We created this Web site to help people take action now to bring SRTS programs to their communities,” said SRTS National Partnership Director Deb Hubsmith. “The potential benefits of SRTS programs include healthier children, reduced congestion around schools, less pollution, and safer streets.”
Features of the new site include an interactive U.S. map that allows users to access pages for all 50 states and the District of Columbia, a robust search function, updated national SRTS news, in-depth policy pages, event listings, resources and a submit-a-story form. Support for the website was provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Bikes Belong Coalition.
The Partnership urges other organizations to link to back to our website (and to check current links to ensure that the www.saferoutespartnership.org url is being used).
2. SRTS National Partnership Hires New Staff Member
Help us welcome Brooke Driesse and say goodbye to Kathy Gutowsky
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership welcomes Brooke Driesse as our new Program Associate. Brooke provides both programmatic and administrative support for the Partnership, assists with the SRTS State Network Project, conducts research on pertinent issues, and maintains the organization’s website. Prior to joining the SRTS National Partnership, Brooke worked in public relations and marketing at a crisis communications firm, for an international association for defense lawyers, and at the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs. Previously, Brooke taught middle school and high school in San Diego County, and saw firsthand the need for a program like Safe Routes to School to establish the importance of an active lifestyle early in childhood.
As Brooke joins the team, we say goodbye and thank you to Kathy Gutowsky who served as our first Program Associate. During her tenure, Kathy accomplished many milestones for the Partnership including managing the process to launch our new website, www.saferoutespartnership.org; as part of this work, she wrote and researched the text for the web content listed on the 50 state pages. As Program Associate, Kathy also wrote and distributed E-News, established our new database, answered questions, and handled many details and projects. We wish Kathy the best of luck in her move to Spain.
3. Partnership Responds to Secretary Mary Peters
Send your own letter to support Safe Routes to School
In August of 2007, Transportation Secretary Mary Peters made comments to reporters indicating that bicycle trails and paths, as well as walk to school programs are not “transportation-related.” This was in response to the tragic collapse of the bridge in Minneapolis.
The Partnership sent a letter to Ms. Peters (Note: pdf file download) indicating that through the $286.5 billion federal transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU, only about 1% of federal funding is being used to support bicycle and pedestrian transportation projects. According to the 2001 National Household Travel Survey, approximately 9.5% of trips are made by walking and bicycling, and according to data from NHTSA, 13% of fatalities on roadways in the United States are bicycles and pedestrians.
An analysis of these numbers shows that the amount of funding spent on walking and bicycling in the United States is negligible compared to the number of trips being made, and the high rate of fatalities for these modes. We also pointed out the promise of the new federal Safe Routes to School program to change the habits of an entire generation.
If you would like to send a letter of your own defending Safe Routes to School and bicycle/pedestrian funding, please use the League of American Bicyclists’ action alert system.
4. Call to Action: No Child Left Behind Legislative Alert
Show your support for language in HR 3438 pertaining to physical activity and SRTS
SRTSNP Steering Committee joins the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity in urging other organizations and individuals to send letters of support for the language related to physical activity and SRTS in HR 3438. To view the highlighted text in HR 3438 that directly and positively affects SRTS goals, please visit www.ncppa.org.
California Congresswoman Linda Sanchez introduced this bill regarding the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act. Her main focus was gang prevention and bullying, however, she also included language that sets forth ideas for incorporating physical activity into the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act.
Congresswoman Sanchez’ hope is for HR 3438 to be included in the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). There is a hearing on NCLB taking place Monday, September 10. If you plan on sending a letter of support, please do so before then. For more information, sample letters and where to send them, visit the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity.
5. SRTS National Partnership’s State Network Project Update
Networks Tackle Urgent Issues and Develop Action Plans
Now that eight out of the ten SRTS State Networks have begun or completed the process of prioritizing their policy initiatives, specific needs have emerged that the networks are already beginning to address. In California, for example, the network is helping the state SRTS program to advertise the upcoming round of project funding ($54 million in state funds and $46 million in federal funds), and identifying experts to participate in project selection committees. In Kentucky, it was discovered that the state Strategic Highway Safety Plan does not mention bicycling or walking, so the network is attempting to get language inserted during the current review process. In D.C., the network helped to get the Department of Transportation’s SRTS Coordinator position publicized for applicants, after several months of delay.
SRTS State Networks are now beginning to develop State Action Plans using the policy research and prioritization that is being completed through network partner collaboration. Action Plans will categorize activities based on urgency, importance, and potential. Since opportunities and issues will rise and change in importance throughout the project period (2007-2009), Action Plans will be reviewed and updated regularly.
SRTS State Networks are operating in the following states (CA, DC, GA, IL, KY, LA, NY, OK, TX and VA) thanks to generous support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. For more information, or to join one of the SRTS State Networks, contact State Network Manager Robert Ping or see the state pages of our website, www.saferoutespartnership.org.
6. Program Tracking Brief Details State SRTS Progress
Review how your state is doing, then take action!
The National Center for Safe Routes to School’s summer 2007 Program Tracking Brief (Note: pdf file download) details how states are progressing with their SRTS programs. Some highlights include:
• Approximately $94.5 million has been spent or committed for SRTS programs.
• 20 states (39%) have announced funding for local SRTS programs.
• 29 states (59%) have announced funding for local and/or statewide SRTS programs.
• At least 686 schools are participating in state-funded SRTS programs.
• All 51 states (including D.C.) have SRTS programs in various stages of progress.
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership encourages you to review this Program Tracking Brief and your state’s page on our website. If your state has not yet released application guidelines, we encourage you to contact the Department of Transportation (DOT) to learn more about their timing and process.
For more information on working with your DOT to help advance SRTS, please see our Take Action Statewide guidelines. If your state is about to release a call for applications, we urge you to help the state DOT to conduct outreach about the grant opportunities.
7. Communities Across the U.S. Commit to International Walk to School Day
More than 430 schools in 40 states registered for October 3rd celebration
The number of communities registering a 2007 International Walk to School event continues to grow every day! As of August 20, more than 430 schools in communities across 40 states are gearing up to celebrate Walk to School Day, taking place on October 3, 2007. Over half of currently registered events indicate that Walk to School Day is just the beginning and will kick-off planned, year-round activities to promote walking and bicycling. Additionally, about 40 percent of currently registered events are part of a Safe Routes to School program.
To register an event, or to sign up as a resource person for Walk to School events, please visit www.walktoschool.org/register. As always, registration is free and available to all Walk to School event organizers in the USA. By registering, Walk to School organizers have a chance to win prizes for students and gain access to a variety of downloadable items, including certificates, printable sticker templates, media materials and more. Registrants can also subscribe to a Walk to School e-newsletter with tips and resources for walk to school events.
For more information on planning and resources for Walk to School activities, and to stay up-to-date on Walk to School news, please visit www.walktoschool.org. To see photos from last year’s event, visit www.iwalktoschool.org/photos/index.htm.
The National Center for Safe Routes to School at the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center serves as the national coordinating agency for International Walk to School events in the USA. For more information please contact Jennifer Bonchak or the National Center for Safe Routes to School at 1-866-610-SRTS.
8. Mississippi SRTS: On the Move!
17 Communities and 3 State Organizations Awarded Grants for SRTS Projects
In July, the Mississippi Transportation Commission approved funding for the first Safe Routes to School projects. Twenty awards were made to 17 Mississippi communities and three statewide organizations totaling $2.9 million. Each community had very specific reasons for getting involved in the program.
For example, Petal sought funds to purchase materials to build sidewalks and stripe bike lanes. The city will use its labor to complete the work in order to build all the sidewalks desired. “We are a community of 10,000 residents with 300 streets and only 4 sidewalks. Our schools are within easy walking or biking distance of neighborhoods, but the lack of sidewalks and bike lanes prohibit walking or biking to school,” said Jim Moore, City Alderman of Petal, Mississippi and President of Bike Walk Mississippi.
Inner-city school, Poindexter Elementary, will work with its Watch DOGS, organized father’s group, to clean up the sidewalks and vacant lots along walking routes and work with the city to police vagrant activity in the area of the school. West Point’s school district head of transportation sees this program as adding two very important modes of travel for students and is working closely with the city and schools.
There were also three statewide awards. The Mississippi Department of Education received a grant to develop lesson plans and provide a leadership institute to promote SRTS activities. The Mississippi Department of Health received funds to promote bicycle and pedestrian safety and Safe Kids Mississippi will standardize its training, materials, presentations and evaluation of events on bicycle and pedestrian safety.
For more information, please contact Mississippi DOT SRTS Coordinator Cookie Leffler or visit www.gomdot.com/srts.
9. Arkansas Announces SRTS Funding Awards
Arkansas Awards $2.3 million in funding to 37 projects
The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) recently announced $2.3 million in funding for 37 projects under the federal Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program. The federal program funds a wide variety of projects that encourage students to walk and bicycle safely to school. AHTD received 67 applications for more than $8.7 million.
Out of the 37 awarded grants, there were 29 infrastructure projects and 8 non-infrastructure projects, which fund educational programs. Funding included $2,115,151 for infrastructure and $240,347 for non-infrastructure. Projects in Arkansas communities that will receive funding include: Hamburg, Texarkana, Monticello, Booneville, Mansfield, Ozark, Haskell, Jacksonville, Magnolia, Conway, Greenbrier, Lamar, Shirley, Vilonia, Green Forest, Harrison, Flippin, Jonesboro, Harrisburg, and Lead Hill.
The AHTD will work with successful applicants to develop their proposals into completed projects. For more information, see the Arkansas SRTS program or contact Arkansas SRTS Coordinator Steve Weston.
10. SRTS News Throughout the Country
Local and state SRTS program news links
Safe Routes to School news around the country keeps growing! Updated regularly, see our new SRTS in the News media center for the latest in local, state, and national SRTS news.
Help Grow the Partnership!
Joining the Partnership is free. Please encourage other organizations, schools, businesses, and government agencies to join 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, the Harvest Foundation, and partner affiliates.
For more information, contact:
Deb Hubsmith, Director
Safe Routes to School National Partnership
deb@saferoutespartnership.org
www.saferoutespartnership.org
(415) 454-7430