Safe Routes to School

 

Welcome to Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS). Click here to read a welcome letter from Virginia's Safe Routes to School Coordinator.

If you’re new to SRTS, be sure to check out this program brochure for some quick facts about Virginia Safe Routes to School.

The SRTS  program has been active in Virginia since 2007 and helps schools and communities make walking and biking to school a safe, convenient, natural activity.  

Program News

Oct 7 - Walk to School Day, Any Way You Can!

Safe Routes to School's signature fall event is back on October 7, 2020. Given the pandemic, we are encouraging communities to participate in whatever fashion that encourages physical activity safely. Celebrate at home, around the neighborhood, or at school! To encourage participation from different learning environments, neighborhoods, families, and school can register their event on walkbiketoschool.org. Registration is quick and easy, and any school that registers their event will receive a Walk to School decal in December. Find out more information, student incentives, and other resources on our WTSD webpage. Happy walking!

July 26 - 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

This year marks the 30^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the first comprehensive civil rights law in the United States that prohibits discrimination based on disability. We celebrate the ADA for removing barriers that limit people with different abilities from participating in public life. In the past 30 years, state and local governments dramatically changed our transportation systems to accommodate all abilities.

Safe Routes to School has also adopted inclusive values to consider students of all abilities when planning programs or events. We look forward to continuing to champion the ADA and accessibility for all students. 

July 1 - New Law for Pedestrians in Virginia

Effective July 1, drivers in Virginia must stop for pedestrians and must remain stopped until the pedestrian has exited the lane. Any approaching vehicles may not pass the stopped vehicle. This new law makes it illegal to drive around a vulnerable road user - this is excellent news for anyone walking, biking, scooting, or rolling in Virginia! Learn more about safe driving information and Toward Zero Deaths Virginia at tzdva.org.

>>News Archives

 

Program Purpose

Shrevewood Elementary School’s Healthy Living Festival, Falls Church VA

The SRTS Program is federally funded, created under Section 1404 of the 2005 Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).

The purpose of SRTS is to:

• Enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school
• Make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age
• Facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution near schools

In July 2013, MAP-21 (the new federal transportation bill) became law, folding SRTS into a new Transportation Alternatives program. SRTS projects are now eligible to compete for funding alongside other programs, including the Transportation Enhancements program and Recreational Trails program. VDOT’s Local Assistance Division manages the Transportation Alternatives program.  More information >>

Non-infrastructure funding from SAFETEA-LU is still available through SRTS. For more information, please visit the Travel Plans and Grants landing page. 

SRTS Strategic Plan

The Virginia SRTS Program completed a strategic plan to guide our work through 2017. Click on the cover at the right. 

Contact

Katherine Graham
SRTS Coordinator
Transportation and Mobility Planning Division
Virginia Department of Transportation
1401 E. Broad St.
Richmond, Virginia 23219

katherine.graham@vdot.virginia.gov
Phone: 804-786-4198
Fax: 804-225-4785
TTY: 711
 

Page last modified: Sept. 23, 2020