Some History… Accessible Schools

1. TM

2. Some History… Accessible Schools • Schools were the center of the community. • Children walked and biked to their neighborhood school. • Bussing was limited to rural areas.

3. Rise of Suburbs • Post WW II policies encouraged outward migration. • Many central cities experienced decline. • Population decreases influence decisions about city schools.

4. Decreased Access • Schools located far from students. • Loss of prime agricultural and open space. • Disconnection between school and community.

5. The Route to School: Then...and Now ►In 1969, 48% of all children walked or biked to school. ► In 2002, only 14% of students walked or biked to school. Source: EPA, 2003

6. School Commute • Increased reliance on automobiles and buses. • Greater pollution and traffic around schools. • Decreased opportunity for physical activity. • Diminished readiness to learn.

7. Benefits of Walking & Bicycling to School • Physical activity and health • Decreased traffic congestion near schools • Classroom performance • Decreased pollution near schools • Community connection

8. Safe Routes to School Timeline 1970s & 1980s: Denmark and the United Kingdom. 1997 & 1998: Bronx, NY (1st U.S. program), Marin County, CA & Arlington, MA (NHTSA pilots). 2003-05: Michigan Pilot Program. 2005: SAFETEA-LU Safe Routes to School Program. 2006: Michigan SR2S program kickoff. 2007: MDOT receives James Oberstar SRTS Award. 2010: Infrastructure awards approximately $11,500,000. Non-infrastructure awards approximately $550,000.

9. Federal Safe Routes to School Program • 1. To enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bike to school. • 2. To make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age. • 3. To facilitate the planning, development and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of schools.

10. Michigan Planning Process & Resources • Create Awareness: Walk to School Day • Build Multidisciplinary Team • Collect Parent & Student Information • Assess Environment • Develop and Implement Action Plan

11. Michigan Funding Application Steps • Register school in Michigan SR2S program. • Complete SR2S surveys, walking audit, and action plan. • Identify fundable action plan items. • Obtain necessary resolutions and community buy-in. • Complete SRTS funding application per guidelines. • Submit application.

12. Current Participation • 400 School initiatives in 180 school districts • 760 Individuals trained 900 State coalition members 10 University, agency and nonprofit • 59 School/community SR2S funding qwards • $11,238,675 infrastructure awards • $525,629 noninfrastructure Awards

13. SEMCOG Schools 125 schools, in 10 counties, have begun SR2S planning 25 schools, in 4 counties, have received SR2S funding awards • For details visit • www.saferoutesmichigan.org

14. Federal Update

15. Synergy

16. Saginaw Multi-school Event • 10 presentation stations • Pedestrian Safety • 911 • Downed Electrical Wires • Fire Safety • Bike Safety • Bike Helmet Fitting • Walkable Saginaw • Fitness • Stranger Danger • Animal Safety

17. Bike Safety • St. Mary’s Field Neurosciences Institute • Students viewed multi-media presentation about bicycle safety, proper helmet use, and the critical functions of the brain and spinal cord • Bike Helmet Fitting • St. Mary’s Field Neurosciences Institute (FNI) and East Michigan Council of Governments (EMCOG) • Students were fitted with bike helmets supplied by FNI and EMCOG

18. Animal Safety • Saginaw County Animal Care Center • Students learned what to do when they encounter stray animals • Fire Safety • City of Saginaw Fire Department • The Fire Prevention Bureau educated students in fire safety with the Fire Safety House

19. 911/Emergency Response • Saginaw County 911 • Students learned how and when to make emergency calls, who answers and who responds • Downed Electrical Wires • Consumers Energy • Classrooms learned about the potential hazards of downed electrical wires and what to do if they encounter one on their way to school

20. Stranger Danger • City of Saginaw Police Department • Students learned what to do when encountering strangers on their way to school • Walkable Saginaw • ACHIEVE • Presented students with highlights of the community that are within walking and biking distance of their schools and homes

21. Pedestrian Safety • Safe Kids Greater Thumb & Saginaw Area • Students learned the meaning of signs and signals, how long it takes a vehicle to stop and certain speeds, and how to safely cross a street • Physical Fitness • Saginaw YMCA • Students ran an obstacle course and learned about the benefits of daily physical activity and how walking and biking to school could be part of their routine

22. SR2S State Network Michigan Department of Transportation Michigan Fitness Foundation Michigan Department of Community Health Michigan State University Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance Michigan Association of Planning Michigan State Housing Development Authority League of Michigan Bicyclists Programs to Educate All Cyclists Wayne State University

23. Michigan Fitness Foundation Mary Grill, Training and Contract Manager Lee Kokinakis, Director Alex Nikoloff, Operations Coordinator Linda Patrick, Program Coordinator Rosie Stern, Program Coordinator • Contact information at: • www.saferoutesmichigan.org

24. Michigan Department of Transportation Bryan Armstrong, AICP Safe Routes to School Program Coordinator E-mail: armstrongb@michigan.gov • www.saferoutesmichigan.org