safe routes
DESCRIPTION
Safe Routes. History of Safe Routes to School. Many child pedestrian fatalities in Denmark, 1970s Odense pilot program reduced the number of injured school children by 30% to 40% Caught on in UK and Canada in the 1990’s; Bronx, NY in 1997. Why Safe Routes?. Physical activity. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Safe Routes
Many child pedestrian fatalities in Denmark, 1970s
Odense pilot program reduced the number of injured school children by 30% to 40%
Caught on in UK and Canada in the 1990’s; Bronx, NY in 1997
History of Safe Routes to School
Why Safe Routes?
Physical activity
Most kids aren’t getting
the physical activity they
need
U.S. youth overweight rates
Overweight children have an increased risk of…
•Type 2 Diabetes
•Low self esteem
•Aggravating existing asthma
•Sleep apnea
•Decreased physical functioning
•Many other negative emotional & physical effects
Physical activity recommendation for children:
At least 60 minutes of physical activity on most, preferably all, days of the week.(US Depts. of Health and Human Services and Agriculture, 2005)
Promoting safe walking and bicycling is an ideal strategy to increase physical activity.
Fewer kids are biking and walking. More parents are driving.
2001: 16% walked
1969: 42% walked
(CDC, 2005)
Individual barriers to walking and bicycling to school
Long distances 62% Traffic danger 30% Adverse weather 19% Fear of crime danger 12%(CDC, 2005)
Students who live within 1 mile and walk or bike: 2001: 63% 1969: 87%(CDC, 2005)
It’s not just distance
ROAD and TRAFFIC-Traffic danger
When speeds are lowered from 40 to 20 mph injuries are decreased from 85% 5% deaths.
ROAD and TRAFFIC-Conditions make it hard to walk or bike
Adverse weather
Both perceptions and realities
Some low probability events provoke the greatest fears
Communities are finding ways to safeguard against these fears
Fear of crime danger
•Traffic flow problems
•Abandoned buildings
•Illegal behaviors
Difficult community issues
Creating a Safe Routes Program
• Involve the entire community• Utilize existing people and groups with interest• Collect data-Map your community• Analyze problems• Identify projects and Develop a plan• Evaluate, make needed changes and keep
moving forward
Elements of a Safe Routes
•Education•Enforcement•Encouragement•Engineering•Evaluation
Education
Teaching safety skills
Creating safety awareness
Fostering life-long safety habits
Includes parents, neighbors and other drivers
Enforcement
Increasing awareness of pedestrians and bicyclists
Improving driver behavior
Helpings children follow traffic rules
Decreasing parent perceptions of danger
Encouragement
Increasing popularity of walking and biking
Is an easy way to start SRTS programs
Emphasizes fun of walking and biking
Engineering
Traffic calming and speed reduction improvements
Pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements
On-street bicycle facilities
Off-street bicycle and pedestrian facilities,
Secure bicycle parking facilities
• More children walking and bicycling to and from schools • Decreased traffic congestion • Improved childhood health –decrease obesity•Encouragement of healthy and active lifestyles •Improved community safety – bike, walking and traffic• Reduced fuel consumption and improve air quality• Enhanced community accessibility • Improvements to the physical environment that increase the ability to walk and bicycle to and from schools •Increased interest in bicycle and pedestrian accommodations throughout a community• Improved partnerships among schools, local municipalities, parents, and other community groups, including non-profit organizations
Desired outcomes of the Safe Routes to School Program include:
Next Steps
What would help neighborhood watch Speed limits More pedestrian traffic ___ ___
Contact Information Connie Abert
Waupaca County UW-Extension 715-258-6226 811 Harding ST., Waupaca [email protected]