Safe Routes to School in the United States

Abstract

This paper describes the key elements of Safe Routes to School programs, which are getting more children to walk and bicycle to schools worldwide. It provides a history of the Safe Routes to School program, and specifically focuses on its development in the United States, as well as opportunities for it to spread now that the U.S. federal government has approved $612 million for such programs through the year 2009. The paper defines the problems associated with school transportation today, describes Safe Routes to School case studies from three states, and highlights the need for additional research and international collaboration.