Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs use a comprehensive approach to make school routes safer for children to walk and bicycle. Community leaders, parents and schools are using these programs to better the lives of children one step at a time.

A successful Safe Routes to School program is a sustained effort that involves bringing the right mix of people together, identifying the issues and finding ways to improve walking and bicycling conditions to create safer places for children to walk and bike in their neighborhoods. Safe Routes to School programs work to:

1. Assess the safety of school travel routes and identify specific steps people can take to make our community more pedestrian and bicycle friendly;
2. Encourage more walking and bicycling to school through fun promotions and events such as International Walk To School Day;
3. Make engineering changes such as building sidewalks, improving streets crossings and training crossing guards;
4. Educate students, parents and drivers about safe travel by reinforcing children’s good traffic safety skills and reminding adults to drive safely in school zones;
5. Promote the fact that children need regular physical activity to stay mentally alert, strong and healthy;
6. Encourage families to have fun and spend time together simply by walking—the easiest way to stay healthy.

In 2008, the Department of Public Health received funding from Federal Highway Administration to provide pedestrian education and encouragement activities at various elementary schools throughout the city of Riverside.