Safe Routes to School Overview

Colorado's Safe Routes to School
Colorado's Safe Routes to School program is administered by the Colorado Department of Transportation. In an effort to encourage more students to safely walk and bicycle to school, federal funding has been made available to conduct educational or event driven programs at schools (non-infrastructure programs) or make improvements to streets, sidewalks and paths near schools (infrastructure programs).

In Colorado, these funds are awarded to K-8 schools that are chosen through a grant process. This process is conducted by the SRTS Advisory Committee which includes educators, parents, bicyclists, pedestrians, law enforcement and transportation planners. School districts, schools, cities, counties, state entities and tribal entities are eligible to apply. Nonprofits, such as Bicycle Colorado, are required to partner with a state subdivision or entity of the state in order to apply for funding.

Why Safe Routes to School?
The need for this program has become widely recognized.

• As much as 20-30% of morning traffic can be generated by parents driving their children to school. (National Center for Safe Routes to School)
• In 1969, approximately 50% of children walked or biked to school and today, fewer than 15% of children walk or bike to school. (National Center for Safe Routes to School)
• Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. (Center for Disease Control)
  

Bicycle Colorado’s Role in Safe Routes to School
Bicycle Colorado, a statewide nonprofit bicycle advocacy organization, partners with schools and local governments to implement Safe Routes to School programs. These programs address specific community needs and incorporate the Five E’s to encourage students and parents to walk and bike to school.