Safe Routes to School Handbook

How to use Handbook:

This resource presents a menu of options that are based on what’s been shown to increase the number of students who walk and bicycle and how often they do it. The choice of activities depends on a school’s location and a community’s priorities. There is no need to sit down and read the handbook cover to cover; instead, jump into the sections that resonate with your school and community’s circumstances and interests. For example, if there are safety concerns that need to be addressed before students are encouraged to walk to school, then those activities should come first. Many communities find that they start with one activity like Walk to School Day and quickly learn that enthusiastic parents and students are asking for more.

And in case you need a little more inspiration to get started or to build interest among other key partners, the Section 1: Overview includes research-based infographics that others have found compelling in deciding to get involved in promoting walking and biking. If you want a detailed roadmap of how to build a comprehensive safe routes to school program, this section also includes seven steps to use.

Hopefully the information provided in this handbook will inspire action where you live. The kind of action that can improve safety, health, and choices for how people of all ages travel around your community.

We thank you for your interest in improving the health and safety of our youth.

— North Carolina Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School Project
 

• Section 1: Overview
  • Introduction Note
  • Active Kids Learn Better Infographic
  • Safe Routes to School Programs Work
  • Steps to Starting a SRTS program
• Section 2: Making the Physical Environment Safe and Appealing to Walk and Bike
  • Introduction
  • Guide to Changes to the Physical Environment
  • Walkability/Bikeability checklists
  • Observation of a school: Understanding walking and biking safety issues
  • Safety-based prioritization of schools for Safe Routes to School Infrastructure projects: A process for transportation professionals
• Section 3: Teaching Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Skills
  • Introduction
  • Let’s Go NC! Flyer
  • Tips for getting your child to wear a bike helmet
  • Tips for parents and older adults to teach pedestrian safety to children
  • Teaching children to walk safely as they grow and develop
  • Cycling Skills Clinic Guide
  • Bikeology
• Section 4: Promoting Walking and Biking to School
  • Introduction
  • The Walking School Bus: Combining safety, fun and the walk to school
  • Starting a walking school bus: The Basics
  • Bicycling to School Together: A Bike Train Planning Guide
• Section 5: Promoting Walking and Biking at School
  • Introduction
  • Walking Clubs (Safe Routes to School National Partnership)
  • Stepping into what’s next: How Before-School walking programs can help students get to school on time and ready to learn
  • Remote Drop-Off Toolkit
• Section 6: Slowing Down Traffic
  • Introduction
  • The benefits of slowing down traffic starting where children walk and bike
  • Getting Results: SRTS programs that reduce speeding and distracted driving
  • The Use of traffic calming near schools
• Section 7: Planning and Hosting Walk and Bike to School Day Events
  • Introduction
  • An Event Planning Guide for Walk to School and Bike to School Day
  • How to plan an event in 7 days
  • Events as tools for change
  • Improving students with disabilities in SRTS
• Section 8: Implementing Walk and Bike Friendly Policies and Procedures
  • Introduction
  • Sample Policy Language from NC Schools
  • Helping NC students to cross the street: Crossing Guard Guide
  • Safe Routes to School Guide: Students drop-off and pick-up
  • Integrating Safe Walking and Bicycling to School into Comprehensive Plans