Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is an international movement in more than 40 countries and all 50 states to make walking and bicycling to school safer and more accessible for children, including those with disabilities, and to increase the number of children who chose to walk and bicycle. On a broader level, SRTS programs can enhance children’s health and well‐being, ease traffic congestion near schools, improve air quality, and improve community member’s overall quality of life. Safe Routes to School programs share the following components, commonly known as the “5 E’s”: Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, Engineering, and Evaluation.
San Francisco’s Safe Routes to School program was initiated in the 2009‐2010 school year at five elementary schools and is working in 40 schools today! SF SRTS originated with Mayor Gavin Newsom’s Shape Up San Francisco Initiative and the success of International Walk to School Day. The program is led by the SF Department of Public Health with support from a broadly‐based coalition, including the SF Bicycle Coalition; SF Unified School District; SF Municipal Transportation Agency; SF Unified School District Office of Sustainability; Presidio YMCA Bike Program; SF Environment; SF Police Department and Walk San Francisco. For more information about SF’s Safe Routes to School Program, visit www.sfsaferoutes.org.