The federal Safe Routes to School program was first created in 2005 through the SAFETEA-LU transportation bill and is authorized through 2009. The program funds infrastructure improvements (such as sidewalks, pathways, bike lanes, and safe crossings) and education, law enforcement, and promotion campaigns to make it safer and more common for children to walk and bicycle to and from school in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The program is up for reauthorization by Congress as part of the next surface transportation bill, which will be under discussion this summer.<\/p>\n
The new Safe Routes to School bill proposes to build on successes around the country and strengthen and expand the federal program in several ways:
\n\u00b7 Triple funding for the program, from the FY2009 level of $183 million to $600 million per year to meet the high demand and need for the program;
\n\u00b7 Expand eligibility to include high schools and to allow a state to spend a portion of its funds to address bus stop safety and improved access in more rural communities;
\n\u00b7 Improve project delivery and reduce overhead by addressing regulatory burdens; and
\n\u00b7 Add a research and evaluation component.<\/p>\n
\n.
\nDeb Hubsmith, Director of the Safe Routes to School National Partnership remarked, "We are grateful to Senators Harkin, Burr, Sanders, Merkley, and Collins for introducing the Safe Routes to School Program Reauthorization Act, and we look forward to continuing to work with them to build additional support within the Senate. By growing and enhancing the federal Safe Routes to School program, we will reduce traffic and pollution, improve children’s health, and create safer and healthier schools and communities throughout the nation." <\/p>\n
In 1969 nearly half of U.S children walked or bicycled to schools, but today less than 15% get to school under their own power. This decrease in active transport to school coincided with an alarming increase in childhood obesity. During the past four decades the obesity rate for children ages 6 to 11 has more than quadrupled (from 4.2 to 17 percent), and the obesity rate for adolescents ages 12 to 19 has more than tripled (from 4.6 to 17.6 percent). In addition, communities throughout the U.S. report that as much as 21 percent of morning traffic can be parents driving their children to schools.<\/p>\n
The following national organizations have already expressed support for the legislation:
\n\u00b7 AARP
\n\u00b7 Alliance for Biking and Walking
\n\u00b7 America Bikes
\n\u00b7 American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
\n\u00b7 American Heart Association
\n\u00b7 American Public Health Association
\n\u00b7 American Society of Landscape Architects
\n\u00b7 American Trails
\n\u00b7 Campaign to End Obesity
\n\u00b7 Center for Health and Learning
\n\u00b7 Child Safety Solutions, Inc.
\n\u00b7 Humana
\n\u00b7 Keep Kids Alive Drive 25
\n\u00b7 League of American Bicyclists
\n\u00b7 Mobility Education Foundation
\n\u00b7 National Association for Sport and Physical Education
\n\u00b7 National Center for Bicycling & Walking
\n\u00b7 National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity
\n\u00b7 National Complete Streets Coalition
\n\u00b7 National Parent Teacher Association
\n\u00b7 National Recreation and Park Association
\n\u00b7 National Wildlife Federation
\n\u00b7 Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
\n\u00b7 Safe Kids USA
\n\u00b7 Safe Routes to School National Partnership
\n\u00b7 Smart Growth America
\n\u00b7 State and Territorial Injury Prevention Directors Association
\n\u00b7 Trailnet
\n\u00b7 Transportation for America
\n\u00b7 YMCA of the USAoldId.20090522074517830<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The federal Safe Routes to School program was first created in 2005 through the SAFETEA-LU transportation bill and is authorized through 2009. The program funds infrastructure improvements (such as sidewalks, pathways, bike lanes, and safe crossings) and education, law enforcement, and promotion campaigns to make it safer and more common for children to walk and … <\/p>\n