Michigan unveils $19 million "Safe Routes to School" initiative
Contact:
Bill Shreck, MDOT Director of Communications, 517-335-3084
Agency:
Transportation
May 23, 2006 - - Representatives from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Michigan Department of Community Health, the Michigan Department of Education, and the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports, met with schools today to introduce a new $19 million initiative aimed at "encouraging and enabling" children to safely walk and bicycle to school.
"Safe Routes to School" is an international movement, and now a federal program, to make it safe, convenient and fun for children to bicycle and walk to school. In Michigan, Safe Routes was launched in October 2003 with a two-year pilot program involving 11 schools for which MDOT was the lead funding agency. Eleven pilot schools and a state coalition of 27 organizations worked with the Governor's Council to learn what grassroots teams needed to improve the walking and biking commute to school.
Working with the schools, the council developed a Safe Routes to School Handbook, which was introduced today as a guide for Michigan schools. As a result of this successful groundwork, Michigan is now one of a handful of states positioned to quickly implement the new federal program. MDOT is receiving $19 million in federal transportation funding through 2009 to implement the "Safe Routes to School" program for K-8 students throughout the state.
"Many schools are interested in encouraging biking and walking, but don't know how to proceed," said Mike Eberlein, Safe Routes to School coordinator for MDOT. "When we funded Michigan's Safe Routes to School pilot project in 2003, we saw the need to develop simple-to-use tools that schools need in order to plan safe routes and encourage biking and walking. Now, not only are those tools available to any school in Michigan, but federal funding also is available to assist schools in implementing their plans."
"Every child should have a safe route to school," said State Transportation Director Kirk Steudle. "We at MDOT are committed to providing a safe, efficient transportation system that children and parents can rely on."
To understand what would make it easier to walk and bike to school, third- through fifth- grade students and their parents were surveyed in each pilot school. Attitudes and behaviors were assessed regarding the commute to school. Students generally stated that they want to walk and bike to school, preferably with friends. However, parents expressed concern about traffic danger and strangers.
"Safe Routes to School" teams also completed walking audits and assessed routes to school on a block-by-block basis. Using all information gathered, teams created plans for change. Pilot schools accomplished many improvements for commuting routes in a short time. Examples include new crosswalks and pedestrian islands, no-turn-on-red signal, renovated parking lots for safer bus zones, and vehicle drop-off areas to protect children on foot. In addition, "walking school busses" were formed (children walking in groups with adults to supervise) to teach pedestrian safety skills.
Safety is not the only advantage of the program. "Changing the travel options for children has great potential to improve their health," said Janet Olszewski, director of Michigan's Department of Community Health. "Even a short, daily walk will improve the lives of many children across the state and help to create a healthier Michigan."
The benefits to an active commute extend into the classroom as well. "Creating safe, healthy environments for Michigan's schoolchildren is critical for optimal learning," said Michael Flanagan, superintendent of Public Instruction for the Michigan Department of Education. "The daily commute to school has great potential to set the stage for the classroom experience, so we are pleased to support the "Safe Routes to School" initiative as a quality component of our educational system."
Regional training programs are scheduled to build capacity in communities interested in creating safe routes for their children. Training is free to schools and includes instruction on developing a team, gathering data, hosting a walking audit, and forming a plan. Schools that attend will receive a Handbook. For more information about "Safe Routes to School", or to register for training, visit www.saferoutesmichigan.org.
Protect Michigan families: Where Workers Present Drive 45! - A message from MDOT and Michigan's Give 'em a Brake Safety Coalition
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