News & Announcements

March 2007
SR2S Best Practices Summit: Building Safe and Active Communities.

You are invited to attend the Safe Routes to School Best Practices Summit: Building Safe and Active Communities. Please Save the date for this FREE event:

Wednesday, May 23rd 2007
Lynnwood Convention Center
Lynnwood, WA

The summit will include speakers and workshops for all interested audience including Families, Schools, Design Professionals, Public Health Professional and Public Safety Professionals.

The Safe Routes to Schools summit is being held in conjunction with the first Annual Healthy Schools Summit beginning May 22nd at the same location. Educators from around the state will be in attendance.

Conference details and registration for both days of the summit will be available in early April on the Puget Sound Educational Service District website at www.psesd.org.

The Center for Safe Routes to Schools in Washington is a partnership between the Bicycle Alliance of Washington and Feet First. For more information, contact info@saferoutes-wa.org.

20 December 2006
Mt. Baker Middle School Mini Grant

The Bicycle Alliance worked with Mt. Baker Middle School and participated on a bike ride for students, staff, parents, and volunteers on May 21, 2006 from Algona to Auburn. The Bicycle Alliance also awarded a mini grant to the school to pay for for a police escort, purchasing helmets, two bicycles, and other incentives including tubes, water bottles, and tools. The event got the media, community leaders, and others interested in safe routes to school, particularly in enforcement. This helped inspire the installation of speed cameras by the school. Read the article linked below to learn more.

King County Journal article: Don't even think about speeding by this school: Auburn adds camera trap to promote slowing down when children are present

19 December 2006
Recommended SR2S Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Projects

The Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) submitted a report to the legislature containing a prioritized list of 2006 Safe Routes to Schools and Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety projects recommended for funding next year. Besides being involved in the ranking process, the Bicycle Alliance co-taught 15 classes with WSDOT staff around the state to explain the grant application process and how to apply for grants. In addition, the Bicycle Alliance assisted several organizations with their applications, provided letters of support, and is a member of some of the project teams.

Read the report [PDF]

27 October 2006
International Walk to School Day Report

The 2006 International Walk to School Day (October 4th) was a tremendous success!

The Bicycle Alliance of Washington received Clif Z Bars through the "Snacks on Us" program for distribution to schools participating in International Walk to School Day (WTSD), October 4, 2006. The Bicycle Alliance distributed the bars to schools throughout Washington State.

Read all about it (with more pictures) on our Success Stories page.

Archived News & Announcements

27 July 2006
WSDOT offers Planning and Partnerships Classes

WSDOT is offering free 2-hour classes targeting School districts, local public works transportation partners and law enforcement, to provide information about the Safe Routes to School Program. The instructors will describe the current grant funding opportunities offered by the WSDOT; including the importance of community partnerships for developing safe routes to school projects, how to prepare an application, what free assistance is available, and examples of successful projects. More details, including schedules and registration info, can be found on our Classes page

7 June 2006
WSDOT Offers Grants for Bicycle & Pedestrian Projects

Communities across the state have an opportunity to increase safety for bicyclists and pedestrians through two grant programs that are managed by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

The Safe Routes to Schools program was created to provide children a safe, healthy alternative to riding the bus or being driven to school. This program has $7 million of federal funds available to public agencies. Eligible projects are those within two-miles of primary and middle schools (K-8), and that address engineering solutions, educational programs, and law enforcement efforts. Applications for Safe Routes to School project grants are due to WSDOT on October 2, 2006.
More detailed information about this grant program and the application process is available on WSDOT's website at: WSDOT Safe Routes Grants

Another $7 million in state funds is available through the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety program. This program aids public agencies in funding projects that improve pedestrian and bicycle safety. Eligible projects may include engineering solutions, educational programs, and enforcement efforts. Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety project grant applications are due to WSDOT on September 20, 2006.
More detailed information about this grant program and the application process is available on WSDOT's website at: WSDOT Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Grants

10 May 2006
Safe Routes to School program expanding

The Bicycle Alliance of Washington in partnership with Feet First, a Seattle-based pedestrian advocacy organization, was awarded a $396,000 federal transportation enhancement grant from the State of Washington.

While the focus will be on the state's most populous areas of Clark and Spokane Counties and King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties, the resources and trainings will be available across Washington.

The purpose is to create the Washington Center for Safe and Active Routes to School that will provide the necessary tools, resources, and technical assistance to schools and communities to help them design, implement, manage, and sustain their own customized safe routes to school programs.

A sampling of what will be offered includes:

• A model safe and active routes to school curriculum and existing curriculums will be available as will tool kits, offering "how to" guidance for conducting Walkable Community workshops.
• A document describing the basics and "how to" of safe and active routes to school will be made available on the web for free public access.
• Two annual safe and active routes to school summits including a wide variety of stakeholders to discuss many topics, including ideas, successes, and lessons learned.
• Safe and active routes to school training sessions based on the national curriculum will be made available. Trainings can be modified to reflect particular needs and circumstances.
• Workshops will be offered to help resolve specific issues at schools or in communities.

If you want more information or discuss how we can help, please contact Dave Janis at the Bicycle Alliance of Washington at 206.224.9252 or davej@bicyclealliance.org

29 April 2006
Walking School Bus in the News

Over a year of success with the "Walking School Bus" pilot project in Seattle's Central District, coordinated by Seattle-based pedestrian advocacy organization Feet First. Read the articles about this program in the Seattle Times and Seattle P-I.