Blog
TE/TA Example #2: Safe Routes to School
In late January, some members of the Michigan legislature expressed their opinion that the state's transportation funds should exclusively go towards road repair, putting in jeopardy important transportation alternative and enhancement projects.
To build awareness and advocacy, Let's Save Michigan will be posting examples of past transportation alternative and enhancement projects in Michigan to show how important such projects are to our communities. Safe Routes to School is one such "transportation enhancement."
In 2003, Michigan launched the two-year pilot for a statewide Safe Routes to School (SR2S) Program. SR2S, a partnership between the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Michigan Fitness Foundation (MFF), aims to increase the safety and number of children walking and biking to school. The 2003 pilot program received $400,215 in funding, $333,512 of which came from federal funds, and sought to develop a specific set of materials and procedures which any Michigan neighborhood could then use to increase education around, encourage, engineer, and evaluate a SR2S program in its community.
In 2006, MDOT and MFF released Michigan's SR2S Handbook. By August 2007, 216 Michigan schools had registered for SR2S programs. Since then, SR2S has funded $18 million in Michigan projects to encourage safe walking and biking for kids, including the "walking school bus."
Currently, SR2S awards mini grants to applicants around the state to help implement safe route programs. Just earlier today, SR2S announced that schools in Dexter and Chelsea will receive grant money to initiate safe routes in their neighborhoods.
Believe your school or community could benefit from a SR2S program? Learn more about implementing safe route here.
Do you have a story to share about SR2S? Leave us a comment or connect with us through Twitter @LetsSaveMich or Facebook.
blog comments powered by Disqus
