Communities initiate Safe Routes to School programs for a variety of reasons. In an attempt to reduce the barriers for students to walk and bicycle to school, some programs focus on reducing traffic congestion and the number of cars around schools.
In this 60 minute webinar, we will take a brief look at the problem of traffic congestion as it relates to SRTS and then focus on two SRTS programs that have had success in reducing congestion and measuring traffic reductions. The first program, Eagle Crest Elementary School’s Step Often and Ride to School (SOAR) Program, surveyed families in order to understand travel patterns to school. After learning that 75% of students arrived by car, the program focused on increasing walking and bicycling rates through education and encouragement. After just one year, Eagle Crest saw a 40% reduction in motor vehicle traffic. The second program, Pinehurst Walks! from Pinehurst, NC, focused on encouraging the school’s 650 students to become engaged as leaders in the effort to get more students walking to school. The Student Council presented neighborhood walkability recommendations to the Mayor and Village Council, resulting in a $150,000.00 allocation for a greenway to connect the elementary school to the Village. Their efforts also resulted in a 22% reduction in traffic volume on walking school bus days.
Join us to see how these two wonderful programs succeeding in traffic reduction efforts!
Presenters:
Nancy Pullen-Seufert, Associate Director, National Center for Safe Routes to School;
Jason Goldsberry, Physical Education Teacher, Eagle Crest Elementary School, Longmont, CO; Melissa Watford, Health Education Specialist, FirstHealth of the Carolinas
This webinar is part of the Safe Routes to School Coaching Action Network Webinar Series, developed by America Walks and the National Center for Safe Routes to School. Click here to register.
For more information please contact Michelle Gulley.
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