Active transportation is good for kids.Active transportation is good for kids.

• Walk or bike to school for exercise

• Improves academic performance

• It’s a wellness initiative that happens before/after school.

• Leads to a lifelong healthy habit of using “active” transportation.

Walking is good for us!Walking is good for us!

Walking 30 minutes per day can:

• Decrease your chance of getting diabetes by 50%

• Decrease your chance of getting cancer and help you recover more quickly

• Decrease risk of heart disease and stroke

The Benefits of BicyclingThe Benefits of Bicycling

• The average adult loses 13 pounds in their first year of commuting by bicycle

• 3 hours per week of bicycling can reduce your risk of heart disease by 50%

Things have changed….Things have changed….

Past & Present: Bike/Walk to School Rates

• In 1969, 50% of kids walked or biked to school.

• Today, it’s 5% to13%.

• In 1969, 89% of kids within one mile of school walked or biked to school.

• Today, 35% of kids within one mile of school walk or bike.

• Personal vehicle vs. the school bus

Why does this matter?Why does this matter?

Our ChildrenOur Children’’s Healths Health

• Obesity -Colorado has one of the fastest growing rates of childhood obesity and associated diseases such as diabetes.

• Exercise -Half of our kids don’t get enough.

• Air pollution and asthma -Front Range has ozone levels 5 times the national target.

• Our children’s life span

The EnvironmentThe Environment

• Motor vehicle use is the source of more air pollution than any other single human activity.

• Driving is the biggest contributor to increased greenhouse gases.

• Oil reserves are depleting.

SafetySafety

• Cars accidents are the #1 cause of death and serious injury of children.

• 50% of kids hit by cars near school are hit by parents of other students.

• Less cars = less congestion = safer routes to school.

CulturalCultural

In America, we spend a lot of time in cars.

“We need to change the habits of an entire generation.”

-Congressman Oberstar,SRTS champion

Safe Routes to School (SRTS)Safe Routes to School (SRTS)

• National initiative

• Goal – reverse the decline in kids walking and biking to school.

• Objectives - increase physical activity & safety, reduce traffic & decrease greenhouse gas emissions and create healthier, more livable communities.

• The Five E’s - Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, Engineering & Evaluation

Bike & Walk to School Program: GoalsBike & Walk to School Program: Goals

• Every student within 1 mile walks

• Every student within 2 miles bikes

• Every student has the chance to explore the benefits and joys of active transportation.

How do we meet these goals?How do we meet these goals?

Make it easy, safe, accessible, rewarding & fun!

ArloArlo’’s Walking School Buss Walking School Bus

EncouragementEncouragement

• Fun - Celebrate Bike/Walk to School Days (including National Bike to School Day and International Walk to School Day)

• Instill habits – Walkin’ and Wheelin’ Wednesdays; Frequent Biker/Walker Program (punch cards)

• Reward - Frequent Biker/Walker Program

• Acknowledge – student profiles; bulletin board

• Include - remote drop-off, bike trains, walking school buses

Frequent Biker/Walker ProgramFrequent Biker/Walker Program

Education & Engineering (Safety)Education & Engineering (Safety)

• Bike/Ped Safety Ed in P.E.

• After-school Bike Club

• Strap-n-Snap (3rd grade)

• Parent Communications

• No Idling Campaign

• Enforcement & Traffic Calming

• Bike Trains & Walking School Buses

Elements of a Successful Elements of a Successful Bike and Walk to School ProgramBike and Walk to School Program

• In-school leader (parent and/or teacher champions)

• Activities that reinforce biking/walking

• Supportive school policies/Principal’s blessing

• Parent/PTO support

• $$$ from the Wellness Committee

How to get started….How to get started….

• Form a committee & hold a kick-off meeting

• Invite biking families & the Wellness Committee

• Start small: commit to 1-2 initiatives

• Develop a budget; seek funds (PTO/Wellness)

• Brand yourself

• Gather info (walking audits; survey families); identify barriers & solutions

• Build partnerships (City’s SRTS coordinator; CanDo; HKC; Bicycle & Pedestrian Education Coalition; Bike Fort Collins)

• Consult with Bevin; toolkit coming soon

Moving forward: think outside the box!Moving forward: think outside the box!