Safe Routes to School

The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program helps community leaders, schools and parents improve safety and encourage more children to safely walk and bicycle to school. The program works toward reducing traffic congestion and improving health and the environment, making communities more livable for everyone. SRTS is a national program. Shasta County Public Health received a 2-year grant from
Caltrans to develop an education and encouragement
program in four target schools.

The components of SRTS include the five Es:

Education - teaching pedestrian, bicyclist and traffic safety and creating awareness of the benefits of walking/biking to school.

Encouragement - building interest and enthusiasm by offering incentives to increase the number of students walking/biking to school.

Enforcement - enforcing rules for safe walking, bicycling and driving, along with neighborhood watch programs.

Engineering - slowing down traffic and installing paths, sidewalks, and safer crossings.

Evaluation - assessing the number of children walking/biking to school and finding out why they do it to determine program goals and objectives.

The 4 Target Schools

Anderson Middle School
Burney Elementary School
Mistletoe School, Redding
Shasta Lake School

Events and Activities

Develop a county-wide task force
Offer pedestrian and bicycle safety programs and information
Assist with coordinating bicycle rodeos and helmet distribution
Provide an incentive bank for schools to conduct educational activities
Assist with coordinating and celebrating annual Walk to School Day - 1st Wednesday in October
Offer assistance with coordinating walk/bike to school programs
Coordinate crossing guard trainings
All Shasta County schools can request assistance and resources

Walking to School is Fun!

Has your child ever asked if he/she can walk/bike to school? Kids think its fun to walk and bike! Support their desire to walk/bike by walking/biking with them to school. Live too far away to walk? Park a short distance from school and walk from there. If your child takes the bus, walk him/her to the bus stop. Walking to school is a great way for kids to get exercise before starting their school day and relieve congestion in front of the school, making it safer and easier for more children to walk/bike.

Why is Walking to School Important?

Thirty-three percent of children are overweight. Children need at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day for their health. Studies show when children are physically active before school, they are more prepared to learn and can concentrate better in class.

Up to 25% of morning commute traffic is school related. Air quality is noticeably better at schools where many children arrive by bike/on foot.

Remind children of the following safety tips:

Cross the street at intersections or crosswalks
Look left, right, and left again before crossing
Walk in pairs or groups
Form a walking school bus/bike train (supervised group of children walking/biking to school)
Don't talk to or take rides from strangers

Get Involved with Safe Routes to School at Your Child's School!

Here are some ideas:

Join the Shasta County Safe Routes to School Task Force
Walk/bike your child and others in the neighborhood to school
Assist with helmet fitting
Assist with bike rodeos/other safety events
Coordinate Walk to School Day
Coordinate a frequent walker/rider program
Integrate Safe Routes to School program into class curriculum
Walk and bike more in your neighborhood
Be a role model

Resources

For more information contact:

Sara Sundquist
Safe Routes to School Coordinator
Shasta County Public Health
(530) 245-6457
ssundquist@co.shasta.ca.us