Safe Routes to School
Statewide
• Walk to School Day
• Student Travel Tally Week
• Crossing Guard Appreciation Day
• Bike to School Day
• Grant Opportunities
• Resource Library
• Marketing Toolkit
• Zone In, Not Out
• Other Links / Partners
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
May - Get Ready for Bike to School Day!
Gear up for Bike to School Day on May 5th! Head to walkbiketoschool.org/registration to register your biking event. You're welcome to register an event happening any day during May! Similar to last year, you can register a family, neighborhood, or school event. No matter how you choose to do it, your school benefits. If it's the first time your school is participating, we’ll send your school an awesome, one-of-a-kind 2021 Bike to School Day decal.
Bicycling improves our energy levels, keeps our body healthy, and reduces stress. Let's have a happy BTSD this year - and don't forget to wear a mask over your smile. These are interesting and often challenging times, which is why this year’s Bike to School Day motto is so perfect: Let’s roll with it!
March 5 - Celebrate Your Favorite Walking and Biking Champion with New SRTS Super Star Materials
The 2020-2021 school year has been quite different from previous ones, but no matter if students are attending school in-person or virtually, there are many committed people going above and beyond to encourage families to walk and bike.
Who's been championing walking and biking in your community? Is it a teacher, or perhaps one of your neighbors? Check out the resources on the Marketing Toolkit page and thank them for their efforts (or give yourself or your family members a little pat on the back for staying active!)
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 >>
SRTS Strategic Plan
The Virginia SRTS Program completed a strategic plan to guide our work through 2017. Click on the cover at the right to check it out. Stay tuned for the 2021 update to the Strategic Plan.
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
