Policies to Support Safe Routes to School

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Passing Safe Routes to School policies may significantly increase the likelihood that Safe Routes to School programs are sustainable in the long-term. Below are resources to guide your Safe Routes to School program's policy implementation efforts.

Safe Routes to School Policy Resources (downloadable PDFs):

  • Safe Routes to School Policies - Through policy, you set up a strong structure that will institutionalize the Safe Routes to School program within local, regional, or state law or regulations.
  • Safe Routes to School Staffing - Paid staff is one of the most important elements for a strong Safe Routes to School program. For a program to be effectively administered, reach a lot of children, and be sustainable in the long term, it needs paid full-time staff.
  • Safe Routes to School Funding - Safe Routes to School programs need funding in order to function. Securing ongoing funding for the program must be part of Safe Routes to School policy campaigns.
  • Safe Routes to School Equity - Safe Routes to School initiatives should benefit all demographic groups, with particular attention to ensuring safe, healthy, and fair outcomes for low-income students, students of color, students of all genders, students with disabilities, and others.

Resources

Explore the foundational framework - Engagement, Education, Encouragement, Engineering, Equity, and Evaluation - and discover practical tools for each element as you explore policies.

Held every November 14th, this day honors the legacy of civil rights icon Ruby Bridges. Celebrate with a walk to school and age-appropriate activities focused on activism, anti-racism, and anti-bullying.

2025 Bike & Roll Day Toolkit

Bike & Roll to School Day is a fun, inclusive way to encourage students to bike, scooter, skateboard, or roll to school. It’s a great opportunity …
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Building Blocks: A Guide to Starting and Growing a Safe Routes to School Program

Safe Routes to School is a great way to help students be healthy and have fun on the way to school. This toolkit will help you kick off a new Safe Rou…
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The Wheels on the Bike Go Round & Round

As more and more people are bicycling in the United States, a bike train can be a strong part of a larger Safe Routes to School program, initiatives t…
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Let’s Go For A Walk

This guide gives you everything you need to lead a community walk audit and identify ways to improve walking conditions around your school. Walk audit…
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Step by Step: How to Start a Walking School Bus at Your School

This toolkit is designed to help parents, educators, and community members plan and organize a walking school bus using adult volunteers as leaders.&n…
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Paso a Paso

Esta guía le sirve a proveer una descripción clara de cómo planificar y organizar un autobús caminante escolar usando voluntarios adultos como líderes…
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