Description
Infrastructure improvements that improve the safety and security of active modes of transportation for youth aim to increase walking, biking, and “rolling” to schools, parks, and after-school activities. The implementation of Safe Routes to School (SRTS) plans involves coordinating with local school districts to implement safety projects such as crossing guards, signage, bicycle and pedestrian facilities as well as incorporating messaging about the benefits of active transportation into school curricula.
Implementation Details
- Coordinate with Unified School Districts to incorporate SRTS improvements into district-level facility plans.
- Develop joint applications with member jurisdictions for Active Transportation Plan (ATP) Cycle 7 and SRTS grants to fund enhanced crosswalks, bulb-outs, and bicycle safety signage.
- Integrate Safe Routes to School implementation with non-motorized improvements along key corridors.
- Leverage SCAG’s Go Human toolkit to conduct temporary demonstration projects (e.g., pop-up crosswalks, curb extensions) near priority school sites.
- Incorporate tracking of SRTS infrastructure and student safety metrics into CVAG’s regional performance monitoring system and include in annual CV Sync implementation reports.
- Leverage SCAG’s Go Human toolkit to conduct temporary demonstration projects near priority school sites and tracking SRTS infrastructure and student safety metrics.
- Identify schools located within ½ mile of CV Sync corridors for prioritization in SRTS planning.
Mitigation Potential
Active modes of transportation for youth improve travel options for how students make trips to and from school. VMT is impacted by improving access and safety for alternative modes of transportation, such as biking, walking, scooters and skateboards.
For more details, see CAPCOA, T-56. Active Modes of Transportation for Youth, pg. 228-231 for VMT reduction quantification.
Linked Strategies
- Dedicate Land for Trails and Off-Street Multi-Use Facilities
- Improve Destination Accessibility
- Improve Lighting and Security
- Provide Bike Network / Facility Improvements
- Provide Bike parking
- Provide Pedestrian Network / Facility Connections
- Road Diets and Traffic Calming Measures
- Provide First and Last Mile Improvements and Incentives
- Wayfinding for Bicyclists and Pedestrians
- Youth School Pools and Education
Equity Considerations
Active transportation programs targeted toward youth should prioritize Safe Routes to Schools in underserved areas. Ensuring equitable access includes culturally relevant outreach, provision of safety gear, and collaboration with schools serving low-income families. Programs should address barriers such as lack of infrastructure or unsafe crossings near public schools in DACs.
Funding Sources
Eligible projects can be funded through Federal and State grants. Such funding sources include the Regional Active Transportation Program (Southern California Association of Governments – Riverside Region), the Statewide Active Transportation Program (California Transportation Commission), the Local Streets and Roads Program (California Transportation Commission), Safe Streets and Roads for All (United States Department of Transportation), the Highway Safety Improvement Program (Caltrans), the Sustainable Communities Program – Active Transportation & Safety (Southern California Association of Governments), the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program (California Department of Housing and Community Development), and the Surface Transportation Block Grant & Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Programs (Southern California Association of Governments).
Examples/Case Studies
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) – Rancho Cucamonga, California
California’s SRTS Technical Assistance Resource Center has helped implement walking school buses, bike rodeos, and education campaigns in low-income communities
Santa Ana Unified School District Bike Education Program
SAUSD, in partnership with local nonprofits, distributed bikes and helmets while running multilingual bike safety instruction in DACs