The following is a collection of online resources you can use to start a Walk to School program, conduct a walking/bicycling safety assessment or learn more about funding Safe Routes to Schools programs. If you don’t see what you’re looking for send us an email or leave a comment and we will help you find it.
It would be easy to spend hours learning more than you ever wanted to know about SRTS on the National Center for Safe Routes to School’s website. Their comprehensive guide is the go-to resource for SRTS newbies and thoroughly covers all five E’s: engineering, enforcement, encouragement, education, and evaluation. The monthly webinars co-hosted with America Walks are helpful. The National Center is where program evaluators download survey forms and submit their data.
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center contains so much information it has to be three websites: walkinginfo.org, bicyclinginfo.org, and pedbikeimages.org. While not SRTS-specific, the PBIC provides resources on making walking and biking safer for all populations. Highlights include: where to find crash and safety facts and data, how to develop plans and policies, engineering treatments, enforcement strategies, and seeking funding. The image library has hundreds of free photos that provide examples of engineering treatments and are great for use in presentations.
Safe Kids USA provides information on preventing many types of childhood injury including pedestrian and bike/skating injuries. The Safe Kids Greater Sacramento coordinator, Sonja Atkins, is involved in SRTS activities at schools throughout the region and is a great local resource for information on all the E’s and funding.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s SRTS guide covers the five E’s and has good information on classroom activities.
California has a great network of SRTS advocates.
- Marin County had one of the first SRTS programs in the nation. The Marin County Bicycle Coalition runs an SRTS website with lesson plans and promotional resources. They’ve had great success with teens.
- The Technical Assistance Resource Center is part of the California Department of Public Health. Their goal is to provide assistance and training to non-infrastructure grant recipients and potential grant applicants. Four coordinators serve Caltrans regions. More information on TARC here. Check out presentations from their first regional forum.
- Caltrans provides information on SRTS project funding. The SRTS state coordinator for Caltrans is Dawn Foster.
Register for International Walk to School Day on the national site and on the California site.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has pedestrian safety materials in Spanish.
Liability Concerns
- 10 tips for SRTS Programs and Liability
- School Bicycling and Walking Policies: Addressing Policies that Hinder and Implementing Policies that Help
- Safe Routes to School: Minimizing Your Liability Risk
- Volunteers and Liability: The Federal Volunteer Protection Act
Local Contacts
Engineering
- Sacramento County: Ron Vicari, Principal Civil Engineer
- City of Sacramento: Ed Cox, Bike and Pedestrian Coordinator
Education
- Local Government Commission: Scott Clark, Director of Healthy Community Programs
- Safe Kids Greater Sacramento: Sonja Atkins, Safe Kids Coordinator
- City of Sacramento Captain Jerry Traffic Safety Program: John “Bucky” Perez
Encouragement
- North Natomas Transportation Management Association: Mellissa Meng, School Programs Manager
- 50 Corridor Transportation Management Association: Rebecca Garrison, Executive Director
Funding
- Sacramento Area Council of Governments: Monica Hernandez, Community Outreach Specialist
Great resource!