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Why Safe Routes to School?

Why should you be involved in Safe Routes to School?

A generation ago, a majority of US children walked or biked to school.

Today, most children take the bus or are driven. Only 1 out of every 8 children gets to school on their own two feet. This quiet shift of norms is taking a tremendous toll on our communities.

  • Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions due in part to increasingly inactive lifestyles.
  • An estimated 25% of morning traffic is parents driving their children to school.
  • More cars on the street make neighborhoods seem less safe, discouraging walking and biking.
  • Overcrowded school drop-off and pick-up areas bring pollution and traffic danger to the doorsteps of our schools.
Safe Routes to School programs can combat these trends by:
  • bringing people together in a joyful activity.
  • supporting the habit of moderate daily exercise.
  • addressing safety concerns with structural improvements and community building.
  • providing an open invitation for people to be deliberate about their transportation choices.
  • organizing diverse community members around a unifying issue: neighborhood safety.
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Overheard

"I think health professionals need to advocate for safer and healthier communities and have concrete policies in place to promote health in the community."

-- Mollie Greves, MD

 

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The Center for Safe Routes to School in Washington State is a resource for people in Washington, led by the Bicycle Alliance and Feet First
The Bicycle Alliance of Washington: , 206.224.9252 www.saferoutes-wa.org Feet First: , 206.652.2310