 BE Tool was created by ICF International through a contract with the CDC.
- Kids are more active when walking and biking are safe, and Safe Routes to School programs can increase safety and active transportation to school.
- Traffic speed and volume and lack of sidewalks are major barriers to active travel to school.
- Active commuting can provide an estimated 16 of the 60 minutes of daily physical activity recommended for children, as found by a meta-analysis.
- Implementing Safe Routes to School programs has been connected with a 44% reduction in injury rates.
- This infographic summarizes highlights from the research brief “Impact of Safe Routes to School Programs on Walking and Biking” published by Active Living Research in May 2015.
BEST PRACTICES AND RECOMMENDATIONS (2015)
- Collaborative partnerships between schools and communities and multi-level strategies are key components of SRTS programs.
- The review identified benefits, challenges and lessons learned from SRTS partnerships across studies:
- Benefits: “coordination of projects, programs, and policies to avoid duplication; mobilization of partners; builds lasting and trusting relationships; increases credibility and community support; partners bring unique perspectives, which increases knowledge and capacity to problem solve; builds greater sense of community; and provides opportunity for internal and external funding”
- Challenges: “inexperience of volunteers; lack of time for outreach and support; difficulties to integrate programs and policies; lack of staff/volunteers; reactive responses and pushback from the community; lack of and dependence on funding support; loss of credibility; difficulties to maintain partnership; and absent stakeholders slows progress”
- Lessons learned: “communication and consideration of viewpoints; partner with schools early to identify champions and establish support; implement multiple project, program and policies strategies for greater participation; expect slow progress and gradual change; target children for long