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Title: Policies for Pupils: Working with School Boards on Walking and Bicycling Policies Track: Change Format: 90 minute panel Abstract: Engaging schools in walking and bicycling efforts can be difficult given competing education priorities and frequent staff and volunteer turn-over. Attendees will learn about strategies for influencing school boards and policy opportunities at the district level. Presenters: Presenter: Sara Zimmerman Safe Routes to School National Partnership Co-Presenter: Diane Dohm ChangeLab Solutions Co-Presenter: Bree Romero Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Co-Presenter: Leigh Ann Von Hagen Voorhees Transportation Center, Rutgers University
Citation preview
Policies for Pupils Working with School Boards on
Walking and Bicycling Policies
ProWalk/ProBike/ProPlace 2014
Leigh Ann Von Hagen, AICP/PP
NJ Safe Routes to School Resource Center
Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center
Can I Bicycle to School?
A Review of School
Bicycling Policies
in New Jersey
Current Practice in New Jersey
County Survey
• 165 schools and 24 school districts surveyed in Middlesex County
• No districts-wide policies that outline walking procedures
• Typically, districts with 100% busing do not allow walking or biking
Deterrents to Bicycling to School
• Fear of liability
• Safety issues (traffic, no
sidewalks, etc.)
• Grade/age minimums for walking
and bicycling
• Lack of storage space at school
for bicycles, coats and helmets
• Delayed dismissal for walkers
and bikers until the buses and
car riders leave
Source: Ahlport, Kathryn N., et. al. Barriers to and Facilitators of Walking and Bicycling to School: Formative Results From the Non-Motorized Travel Study. 2007.
Current Practice in New Jersey
Category Total
Don't know - can't give out information 10
District Policy - permitted 7
District Policy - permitted with age restrictions 33
District Policy - principal decides 32
No policy - permitted 36
No policy - permitted with age restrictions 10
No policy - not permitted 33
No policy - don't know 4
Summary of School Responses: Bicycle Policy
Current Practice in New Jersey
Category Total
Don't know - can't give out information 10
District Policy - permitted 7
District Policy - permitted with age restrictions 33
District Policy - principal decides 32
No policy - permitted 36
No policy - permitted with age restrictions 10
No policy - not permitted 33
No policy - don't know 4
Summary of School Responses: Bicycle Policy
Current Practice in New Jersey
Category Total
Don't know - can't give out information 10
District Policy - permitted 7
District Policy - permitted with age restrictions 33
District Policy - principal decides 32
No policy - permitted 36
No policy - permitted with age restrictions 10
No policy - not permitted 33
No policy - don't know 4
Summary of School Responses: Bicycle Policy
The principal or building administrator must grant
permission before students can ride.
“Because of the clear and present danger of accident in
traffic inherent in bicycle riding, it shall be the policy of
the Board to prohibit the use of bicycles by students to
travel to and from those schools so listed by the
principal.”
- Old Bridge Township School Board
Can they do that?
Are schools or school districts allowed to ban
bicycling and walking to school?
“A teacher or other person in authority over such pupil
shall hold every pupil accountable for disorderly conduct
in school and during recess and on the playgrounds of
the school and on the way to and from school.”
N.J.S.A. 18A:25-2
Can they do that?
Are schools or school districts allowed to ban
bicycling and walking to school?
“A teacher or other person in authority over such pupil
shall hold every pupil accountable for disorderly conduct
in school and during recess and on the playgrounds of
the school and on the way to and from school.”
N.J.S.A. 18A:25-2
Land Use Joyce Kilmer E.S.
Milltown, NJ
Land Use
South Amboy E.S.
South Amboy, NJ
Land Use
Oak Tree E.S.
Monroe, NJ
Policy Survey Summary
Lack of coherence: little consistency in policies
Lack of procedure: schools informally allow or prohibit
bicycling and/or walking
Lack of communication: confusing two-tiered
jurisdiction over bicycling
Lack of agreement over safe navigability: no clear
differences in the built environment around schools that
allow bicycling and those that prohibit it.
Spinning our wheels
http://www.sustainablejersey.com
Sustainable Jersey for Schools Actions
• Energy and Greenhouse Gas
• Health and Wellness
• Green Design
• Land Use and Transportation
• Leadership and Capacity Building
• Operations and Maintenance
• Waste Management
• Arts/Culture School
• Diversity and Equity
• Sustainability Curriculum/Student Learning
Roll Out October 2014
• Schools registered with the program will get special
priority access and notification of incentives and grants.
• Schools will gain access to training, tools and expert
guidance.
• Sustainable Jersey certified schools will align with
municipal Sustainable Jersey actions.
Walk and Bike Friendly Schools
Adopt a Walk and Bike to School, Active Transportation or
School Wellness Policy for your school district that
encourages walking and bicycling to and from school.
Best Practices include: • Bicycle Parking and Storage
• Remote Drop-off/Pick-up Locations
• Staggered Dismissal (allow walkers and bikers to be dismissed first)
• Expanding Transportation Supervisor duties to include walking and bicycling
• Safe Routes to Bus Stops
• Establishing a walking club for staff
• Rewarding staff who walk or bike to school
Steps
1. Build awareness and allies for policy adoption
2. Provide Administration and BOE sample policy
• Safe Routes to School District Policy Workbook
• NJ Walking to School Model Policy
• NJ Bicycling to School Model Policy
3. Policy adoption and distribution
New Jersey Safe Routes to School Resource Center
Leigh Ann Von Hagen Sean Meehan Catherine Bull Trish Sanchez Shannon Sweeney New Jersey SRTS Help Desk
[email protected] 848-932-7901
saferoutesnj.org