SRTS Topics

Transportation Programs

Ecology Action SRTS Projects


Bike to School	Walk to School	Bike Smart!	Bike ‘n Hike

Alternative Transportation Options
SRTS Resources
Safety Tips
Biking and Walking Maps

Introduction

An Unhealthy Trend

Children’s lives have altered dramatically over the last few decades. One of the most notable changes is how little independence and mobility they now have as compared to previous generations. Just a generation ago walking and biking to school was the norm; now it is unusual!

National statistics show that in 1969, 42% of students walked or biked to school; by 2001 that number dropped to only 16%. Even more surprising, less than half of students who live within a mile of school walk or bike even once a week!

An Active Solution

A new movement, sprung in Denmark and honed in Marin County, California, has grown to combat this trend. Coined Safe Routes To School, (SRTS) the movement encourages children to safely walk and bicycle to school. The Santa Cruz County SRTS movement brings together schools, parents, non-profits, public works departments and public health officials to improve student health and safety through active transportation. In the process, programs are working to reduce traffic congestion, reduce greenhouse gases, and make streets safer, thereby making communities more livable for everyone.

Ecology Action SRTS Efforts

At Ecology Action, we have chosen to also highlight busing and carpooling as important alternative transportation choices. We host several innovative Safe Routes to School programs: Bike to School, Walk to School, Bike Smart!, and Bike ‘n Hike.

Our SRTS work dates back over 10 years with the inception of the popular Bike to School Day activities. Tens of thousands of kids have participated in Ecology Action (EA) SRTS programs over the years. EA is working to expand our SRTS work to assure healthy, carbon reducing, and money saving transportation for our children. Some other local groups and agencies that work on SRTS are the County Health Services Agency, Project Bike Trip, and Greenways to School.

Here are some great reasons to have your school participate in our fun and healthy programs:

Reduce Traffic at the School Site – 20-30% of morning traffic can be attributed to parents dropping students at school sites.
Combat child obesity and improve learning– Walking or biking 1 mile can burn 40 calories. Overweight and obesity rates have skyrocketed in recent decades in the U.S. In Santa Cruz County, 32% of our 9 – 13 year olds are considered overweight or obese. Studies also show that physically active students are better prepared for learning.
Save Money! – Commute Solutions.org calculates that you spend .86 for every mile you drive after accounting for fuel, maintenance and other costs associated with maintaining a car.
Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Transportation accounts for 45% of Santa Cruz County’s greenhouse gases according to the County Commission on the Environment. Every mile you drive releases about 1 pound of carbon dioxide into the air.

Check out our great programs and join the Safe Routes to School effort!

History

The term “Safe Routes to School” (SRTS) was first used in Denmark in the late 1970s as part of a successful initiative to reduce the number of children killed while walking and bicycling to school. SRTS spread internationally, with programs springing up throughout Europe and in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. In Marin County, California, a pilot program was developed with great success and is now one of the foremost leaders in the SRTS movement. The State of California, through Caltrans began funding SRTS programs and the federal government then followed their lead. In 2005, Congress appropriated funds under the transportation bill (SAFETEA-LU) specifically to support and encourage the development of SRTS programs nationwide.

The 5 E’s

The Safe Routes to School movement is premised on a holistic approach to increasing the number of children walking and bicycling through the Five E’s: Engineering, Education, Enforcement, Encouragement and Evaluation. Engineering deals with the built environment and projects that work to create safer places to walk or bike. Education programs teach students safety skills for walking and bicycling and inform parents and other drivers how to drive more safely around pedestrians and bicyclists. Enforcement programs work to improve driver behavior through increased awareness and compliance with laws which protect vulnerable users on the streets (slower speeds, yielding to pedestrians, passing at a safe distance, etc.) Encouragement strategies, such as events, contests and rewards, generate interest and provide exposure to the benefits and fun of using active transportation. Evaluation refers to the importance of measuring the impact of SRTS activities in order to gauge their effectiveness. Thus best practices can be developed and shared and any needed modifications can be identified and implemented.

Federal and State Safe Routes to School Programs

There are two distinct Safe Routes to School programs at work in California. One is the state-legislated program, abbreviated as SR2S, and the other is the Federal Program, abbreviated as SRTS. Both are administered by Caltrans. While both programs aim to increase the number of children walking and bicycling to school through the 5 E’s , they differ in several respects. One of the biggest differences is that the State program prioritizes infrastructure projects (adding sidewalks, bike paths and lanes, etc.) whereas the Federal program funds both stand-alone infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects.

Program Contact

Jeanne LePage

Program Specialist, Transportation Division
Phone: 831-426-5925 x144
Fax: 831-423-3895
Email