Why safe routes to school?

Our kids are getting less exercise than any previous generation. One in four kids in Oregon is unhealthy and at great risk of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension—and eventually early death. Something as simple as walking to school every day isn’t an option for many families in Oregon.

Too many communities lack safe sidewalks, bikeways, and crosswalks. Did you know that 20% of morning traffic is parents driving kids to school? Making it safe for kids and families to walk, bike, and access transit to school will reduce congestion while improving health and safety in every community.

This is a problem we can solve: When kids walk and bike to school they can get 66% of their daily recommended exercise. A robust Safe Routes to School program would provide the needed safety around schools as well as education and encouragement programs for students allowing them to walk, bike, and access transit to school.

In the coming months, Oregon legislators will decide whether or not to fund safe routes to school for every kid in Oregon. Every kid deserves a safe route to school and a healthy future.

Stand up for every kid in your neighborhood right now! Sign the petition to make Safe Routes to School for every kid!

For Every Kid is a growing coalition of community, public health, and social justice organizations dedicated to making safe routes to school for every kid by advocating for dedicated funds for Safe Routes to School programs and projects that make streets safe. Supporters include the Community Alliance of Tenants, the Community Cycling Center, and thousands more.

Right now, kids who most need opportunities for physical activity don’t have the necessary safe infrastructure—sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes—in their communities and around their schools to support a healthy childhood.

Safe Routes to School Works! When education is combined with making streets safe, there is a 40% average increase in walking and biking trips to school. This kind of comprehensive program will have regional significance in regards to health, safety, and equity.

Thank you to Bicycle Transportation Alliance for this guest blog. Safe Routes to School is one of the transportation funding priorities that OEC supports in 2017.

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Safe Routes to School: Statewide Town Halls

All Oregon kids deserve to have a safe route to school – and over the next few weeks you can add your voice to the conversation. The For Every Kid coalition is co-hosting Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Town Halls across the state and you’re invited! Each 90-minute event will include a brief presentation about the current SRTS program in that area, and an update about the 2017 legislative session and how safe routes to school may be included in the next transportation package. Food
January 13, 2017, 9:18 pm
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