Maryland Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Education Program

1. Maryland Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Education Program Rockville, MDApril 11, 2003 Maryland Highway Safety OfficeCity of RockvilleToole Design Group, LLC

2. Why does Maryland need a Safety Education Program?

3. Why does Maryland need a Safety Education Program? • MD experienced 3110 pedestrian and 1067 bicycle crashes in 2000. • MD averages 110 pedestrian fatalities per year—Pedestrians make up 16% of all traffic fatalities • Over 25% of pedestrian crashes in MD involve children aged 5-15 (this group makes up 15% of the population) • Over 45% of bicycle crashes in the US involve children under 15 (this group makes up 22% of the population) • Children are judged responsible for more than half of these crashes • Universal bike helmet use by ages 4-15 would prevent 57,000 to 100,000 head and face injuries each year

4. Safety Education Program Overview • Pedestrian Lessons (Kindergarten-2nd Grade) • Bicycle Lessons (3rd Grade-5th Grade) • 4 Core Lessons for Pedestrian and Bicycle • Enrichment Lessons • Hands-On Approach • Learn skills and behaviors, but kids still have fun • Flexible for teachers Sounds simple…

5. How was the Program Developed?

6. How was the Program Developed? • Review of the best ped and bike safety curricula from North America • Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Education Committee • Program Coordinator • Administrator • Teacher • Lesson writers • Outreach to Rockville community, teachers, and administrators—Builtsupport • Pilot Testing

7. Program Materials • Administrator’s Guide • Teacher’s Guide • Lesson Handbook

8. Administrator’s Guide • Benefits of ped and bike safety education (overheads for presentations) • Short summary of program • Maryland Learner Outcomes • Administrative issues • Instructor training • Equipment and materials • Liability • Community support

9. Teacher’s Guide

10. Teacher’s Guide • Lesson Summary • Time, objectives, and activities • Background Information • Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Concepts • Materials • Documenting Effectiveness • Letters to Parents, Program Flier, Certificate of Achievement

11. What are the Lessons All About? • Pedestrian Lesson Contents • Stopping at the edge before crossing the street • Looking left-right-left before crossing the street • Scanning left and right to look for traffic while crossing the street • Walking safely near the school bus • Choosing safe crossing locations; visual barriers • Looking left-right-left and behind when crossing intersections • Bicycle Lesson Contents • Wearing a bicycle helmet • Checking to make sure that the equipment is safe for riding • Rules of the road • Skills: balance, stopping, turning, and signaling

12. Lesson Layout • Lesson Outline • Time, Objectives, MLOs, Materials, Teaching Venue, Vocabulary, Statistics • Lesson Walk-Through • Introduction • Instruction • Activities • Handouts and Materials

18. Role of the Program Coordinator

19. Role of the Program Coordinator • Coordinate the program in a city or county area • Train teachers and then play advisory role • Find volunteers to assist • Promote program in local community • Manage equipment

20. Pilot to Statewide • Rockville Pilot • Written Materials (Jan. 2002-Aug. 2003) • 7 Rockville schools (Sep. 2002-Jun. 2003) • All Rockville schools (Sep. 2003-Jun. 2004) • Expand to two or three counties • Montgomery, Prince Georges, Baltimore City, others (Sep. 2003-2005) • Expand Statewide • Share positive results from Rockville and Montgomery County • Build support (Other communities Statewide) • Expand to more interested jurisdictions (Sep. 2004 and beyond)

21. Questions?

22. Let’s see the lessons in action!