Marin County's Safe Routes to Schools Program
Receives a 2003 National Public Service Award
From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
On Tuesday, March 11, Marin County's Safe Routes to Schools Program received a prestigious 2003 Award for Public Service from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is part of the United States Department of Transportation (DOT). The awards ceremony was held at the Lifesavers Conference, in Chicago.
The NHTSA Awards for Public Service recognize and honor individuals and organizations that exemplify high standards of achievement in the field of traffic safety. In a letter announcing the award, NHTSA Administrator Dr. Jeffrey Runge stated, "The individuals and organizations we honor today are model activists and supporters of our mission to improve the health and safety of all Americans."
The Public Service Award was presented by Dr. Jeffrey Runge to Deb Hubsmith, Executive Director of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC). Hubsmith states, "It is truly an honor to accept this award on behalf of our entire Safe Routes to Schools program. This initiative is a success because of the dedication, time and energy of many champions including the students who walk and bicycle to schools, their parents, local police, public works directors, teachers, principals, elected officials, and our program staff. I especially want to recognize Wendi Kallins, Program Director of Safe Routes to Schools for developing this local program, and Congressman James Oberstar for recognizing that Safe Routes to Schools has the potential to change the habits of an entire generation."
In the year 2000, NHTSA selected the Marin County Bicycle Coalition and Walk Boston to test Safe Routes to Schools, a program designed to get more children to walk and bicycle to schools safely. About thirty years ago, an estimated 2/3 of all children walked or biked to school in the USA; today, the national average is that less than 2% bike and less than 11% walk. This shift has contributed to many national problems including traffic congestion, roadway safety hazards, air pollution, and health problems related to childhood obesity caused by sedentary lifestyles.
Under the NHTSA contract, the Marin County Bicycle Coalition worked with local schools and cities to integrate health, fitness, traffic relief, environmental awareness and safety under one program. Now in its third year, Safe Routes to Schools is run by parent volunteers and includes special events, classroom lessons, promotional materials, contests, and recommendations for infrastructure improvements such as bicycle lanes and sidewalks. As part of the NHTSA contract, the MCBC also developed a Safe Routes to Schools Toolkit, authored by Wendi Kallins, which serves as a step-by-step guide for launching a program anywhere (see http://www.saferoutestoschools.org).
Presently, Marin County's Safe Routes to Schools serves 10,000 children at 26 local elementary and middle schools. In the year 2001, the Marin County Congestion Management Agency estimated that 21% of morning traffic is caused by parents driving their children to schools. In a two year time period, the Marin County Safe Routes to Schools program increased the number of children walking and biking at participating public schools from 21% to 38%. Hubsmith states, "Safe Routes to Schools has proved that walking and biking to school can relieve traffic congestion and improve health. We hope that the national transportation expenditure bill currently being debated in Washington will include funds for a national Safe Routes to Schools program."
Marin County Safe Routes to Schools is a program of the MCBC, with management provided by Nelson/Nygaard consulting and engineering by Parisi Associates. The program is currently under contract with the City of San Rafael, representing the Cities and County of Marin, with funding provided by the Marin County Congestion Management Agency, the Marin Community Foundation, and private donations. For more information see http://www.saferoutestoschools.org.
