Safe Routes to School E-News
Issue #125: July 2016
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- How to Use our State Report Cards to Maximize TAP Funding
- New Report: Using Data to Foster Walking and Biking to School
- Join our Next #MoveEquity Tweetchat July 20
- MTC Sustains Bay Area Climate Change Program
- Active Schools Fundraising: A Healthier, More Active Way to Fundraise
- Partner of the Month: Dero Bike Racks
- Applications Open for the Big Jump Project
- Congratulations, Fire Up Your Feet Winners!
1. How to Use our State Report Cards to Maximize TAP Funding
In this month’s federal policy blog, we take a closer look at the 2016 Making Strides state report cards, which includes a section that examines state implementation of the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). Your state DOT’s decisions have a big impact on how quickly you are able to apply for TAP funding and how Safe Routes to School projects fare. So, join us by downloading your state’s report card and walking through what your state is doing well, or where they could improve, in implementing TAP.
2. Using Data to Foster Walking and Biking to School
Stay tuned for the release of a new report from the Safe Routes Partnership, coming out tomorrow: Safe Routes to School by the Numbers: Using Data to Foster Walking and Biking to School. The report offers insights into how newly expanding access to data can assist in improving walking and biking programs, provides an overview of the current state of data access and its limitations, and highlights case studies of communities and organizations using data to make walking and bicycling programs function more effectively.
3. Join Our Next #MoveEquity Tweetchat on July 20
Join the #MoveEquity Tweetchat onJuly 20 at 10am Pacific/1pm Eastern to discuss the challenges and opportunities for creating equitable transportation networks that serve people with disabilities. Whether you have experienced barriers to getting around or are working to make sure our streets are friendly to all, we want to hear about your experiences and ideas.
4. Bay Area Climate Change Program Sustained
On June 8, the Administration Committee of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) voted to reauthorize funding for the Spare the Air Youth (STAY)program, while directing MTC staff to pursue increased funding. STAY provides education on climate change and active transportation to Bay Area youth, including family bicycle workshops, mobile repair of bicycles in schools, high school Safe Routes to School, and more. Learn more.
5. A Healthier, More Active Way to Fundraise
Interested in raising funds to purchase Sportime equipment or SPARK curriculum? Join this webinar Wednesday, August 3rd at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET. Register here.
Try out Active Schools Fundraising this fall for a chance to win prizes from our partner organizations: Sportime featuring SPARK, mybackpacktags®, I'm Safe,Skillastics, Peaceful Playgrounds, Flaghouse, Marathon Kids, Dero, Cycliq. We will feature our partners in webinars August through September. Learn more here.
Dero offers innovative bicycle parking and transit solutions, such as bike racks and custom bike storage. Encourage a love of bicycling in students and help facilitate healthy bike to school programs by providing ample bike parking. Add a Dero Fixit, a public bike repair stand, to help with bike maintenance.
7. Applications are Open for the Big Jump Project
PeopleForBikes has opened the application process for its new program, The Big Jump Project. The Big Jump Project is a strategic three-year effort in ten cities to quickly connect high-comfort biking networks in defined focus areas, develop common measures of use replicable in any community in the U.S., and institutionalize the practice of bicycle network planning throughout U.S. cities. Letters of Interest should be submitted by August 16, 2016 and full applications are due on October 24, 2016. More details can be found at bigjumpproject.com.
8. Congratulations, Fire Up Your Feet winners!
The Fire Up Your Feet Spring Activity Challenge has wrapped up, awarding more than $105,000 to K-8 schools to support walking, biking, and physical activity. The enthusiasm and commitment on the part of students, families, and school staff is inspiring! Here are just a few examples:
At Washington, DC's KIPP-Heights Academy, gym classes used to be held in the cafeteria. Now, they have a new gymnaisum and used their award to purchase gym equipment.
Ellis School in Atlanta, GA, is a small school with a big mission to get kids with disabilities more opportunities to be physically active.