Policy

These resources offer information on federal, state, and local policies that affect Safe Routes to School and active transportation.

Fact Sheet
The Role of MPOs in Advancing Safe Routes to School through the Transportation Alternatives Program

This brief profiles four MPOs, each of which used a thoughtful and innovative approach to TAP that was ultimately beneficial to the safety of children and families on the trip to and from school. 

Report
State Network Policy Successes

In 2010 and 2011, the 20 state networks engaged more than 600 partner organizations and agencies in policy priorities based upon the following policy categories:

Model Policy
Safe Routes to School District Policy Workbook

This tool is designed to help school board members, administrators, families of students, and community members create and implement district policies that support active transportation and Safe Routes to School programs. 

Toolkit
Toolkit for Engaging Congress in Safe Routes to School

A toolkit for planning site visits and member meetings to build congressional champions for Safe Routes to School.

Fact Sheet
Using the Transportation Alternatives Program to Improve Safety and Health in Your Community

This factsheet helps communities understand how to use the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) to support healthy community design and active transportation.

Toolkit, Model Policy, Case Study
Getting Students Active through Safe Routes to School:
Policies and Action Steps for Education Policymakers and Professionals

The Safe Routes Partnership has developed an Educator's Guide for getting students active through Safe Routes to School. 

Report
How States are Adapting to a New Legislative Framework

Two years ago, Congress made major modifications to the federal Safe Routes to School program. While those changes are still being rolled out by state departments of transportation, it is time to examine how different states have adapted to those changes and how the changes have impacted the availability of Safe Routes to School funds. 

Webinar
How and Why to be a Safe Routes to School Policy Advocate

Learn tips for advocating for policies that support Safe Routes to School.

Report
Making Strides:
State Report Cards on Support for Walking, Bicycling, and Active Kids and Communities

Physical activity is a fundamental building block for good health, and states have a crucial role in promoting it. States’ actions are essential – enacting laws and policies to support active, healthy lifestyles, devoting staff and planning efforts to physical activity, and ensuring adequate funding for walking, bicycling, and physical activity.

Fact Sheet
Safe Routes to School: A Primer for Understanding the Role of Municipal Transportation Departments

These action briefs are a companion to the webinar "Maximizing City Involvement in Safe Routes to School: Educating Municipal Transportation Departments" that took place on June 20, 2013. Watch an audio-visual recording here. View Powerpoint slides: Gabe Graff, City of Portland- slides; Nancy Nichols, City of Fort Collins - slides.

Report, Case Study
Regional Impacts
A compilation of Lessons Learned from the Regional Network Project

This report provides guidance in working with MPOs and highlights lessons learned in the regions where the Safe Routes Partnership has concentrated efforts through the four-year implementation of the regional network project, which dedicates staff to effect change at the regional level. 

Webinar
Maximizing Statewide Impact of Safe Routes to School
Educating Governors and State Agency Leaders

The complexities of engaging and educating your governor and state agency leaders on the benefits of policies and funding that support Safe Routes to School can feel daunting, but may be easier than you imagine.

Fact Sheet
Safe Routes to School: A Primer for Regional Governments

These action briefs are a companion to the webinar "New Funding, New Partners, New Game 201: How to Build Safe Routes to School into Regional Governments" that took place on January 10, 2013. 

Report
North Carolina:
Writing the Next Chapter of its Transportation Legacy

The report considers the state of walking and bicycling infrastructure in North Carolina, citing inequitable safety statistics for non-motorized transportation and focusing on state funding levels that fall far below what is needed for bicycle and pedestrian improvements or what is promised through state-level policy.

Webinar
Maximizing the Local Impact of Safe Routes to School
Educating Local Elected Officials

There are a variety of approaches to educating and engaging local elected officials as a part of your community’s Safe Routes to School movement.

Fact Sheet
Safe Routes to School: A Primer for Governors and State Agency Leaders

These action briefs are a companion to the webinar "Maximizing Statewide Impact of Safe Routes to School: Educating Governors and State Agency Leaders" that took place on February 21, 2013.

Fact Sheet
Understanding State Report Card Scores and Grading
Making Strides: 2016 State Report Cards

This fact sheet provides a quick summary of the report cards' scoring structure.

Report
Safe Routes to School 2009 Policy Report
Moving to the Future: Building on Early Achievements

This report gives some background information on Safe Routes to School and details challenges and opportunities in program implementation. 

Fact Sheet
Using the Transportation Alternatives Program of MAP-21 to Impact Your Local Community

Many local communities are eager to use transportation funding streams to create safe streets for people walking and bicycling. 

Fact Sheet, Case Study
Integrating Safe Walking and Bicycling to School into Comprehensive Planning

This fact sheet illustrates how to include walking and biking into comprehensive plans. 

Fact Sheet
How to Use Your State's Report Card on Walking, Biking, and Physical Activity
Making Strides: 2016 State Report Cards

Learn how you can use the report cards to communicate the importance of supportive state policies and highlight ideas for inspiring change in your state.

Report, Case Study
The Second Wave:
State Network Policy Changes in 20 States

This report describes the strategies, partners, successes and lessons learned from the Safe Routes to School state network project in 20 states during 2010.

Fact Sheet
Healthy Students, Thriving Districts
Including Safe Routes to School in District Policies

One of the best ways to make sure that walking, bicycling, and Safe Routes to School programs are vigorous and sustained over time in your district is to include these programs in school district policies.

Model Policy
Safe Routes to School Local Policy Guide

The Safe Routes to School Local Policy Guide was published to help local communities and schools create, enact and implement policies which will support active and healthy community environments that encourage safe walking and bicycling and physical activity by children through a Health in All Policies approach.