Safe Routes To School EDUCATION
Education plays a critical role in promoting safety and planning truly safe routes to school. By educating children and other community members about the real and perceived dangers of walking or rolling to school, they are empowered to be safe in neighborhoods and on the streets. There are great materials, guides, and local resources that address many of the common safety concerns that parents and educators may have regarding safe routes, including lessons and programs that teach children pedestrian and bicycle safety skills. Safe Routes to School Education also goes beyond "safety" and extends to the health and environmental benefits of walking and biking to school.
Standard Stroll Curriculum Guide
Our Standard Stroll Curriculum Guide provides teachers in grades K-5 with easy-to-teach, standards-based lesson plans that include the themes of pedestrian safety, community, health and the impact of travel on climate change. This guide was developed by the Alameda County SRTS program and modified for use in Sonoma County. Schedule an introductory presentation for your school staff meeting!
Email saferoutes@bikesonoma.org to schedule one today!
Other local and national SRTS Education Resources
- Bicycle Safety/Skill Rodeos — A bicycle rodeo is an outdoor bicycle safety and skills clinic for elementary school-age children. Children receive bicycle safety education and cycling basics practice on a simulated street course and other skill stations. Safe Kids Sonoma County and the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition’s Safe Routes to School Program can provide tools and varying levels of support for your own rodeo. Click here for more information or contact saferoutes@bikesonoma.org.
- Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition’s Street Skills for Cyclists Course — Separate seminars for adults and teenagers, offered once a month. A League of American Bicyclist (LAB) certified instructor teaches a course based on the LAB Road I Bicycle Education Curriculum, using proven slide illustrations, street diagrams, and video clips. Contact the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition to request a Street Skills Course at your location.
- Santa Rosa Police Department’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Outreach Program — Offers bicycle and pedestrian safety assemblies, classroom lessons, and bicycle skill/safety rodeos to schools in the Santa Rosa City limits (as schedule allows). For more information, please contact the community outreach team at 707-543-3577. Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration.
- National Center For Safe Routes to School Education Guide — A Safe Routes to School Education Program can include a variety of approaches. For more information about SRTS Education and strategies for reaching children, parents, drivers, and school neighbors, read the SRTS Education Guide developed by the National Center for Safe Routes to School.
- Humboldt County SRTS Toolkit — The Humboldt Partnership for Active Living put together a comprehensive and easy-to-access links to materials and guides available from programs across the country.
- Sprocket Man Comic Book (PDF) — Provides information on bicycle safety in a comic book format from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Become a Teacher Liaison for the Safe Routes to Schools Program!
- We are looking for teachers at participating schools to make a small commitment to this important program by:
- Making occasional announcements about Safe Routes to Schools activities at staff meetings;
- Staying in communication with the Safe Routes to Schools Parent Liaison at your school, who helps to organize Walk (and Roll) to School Days, parent workshops, and other Safe Routes programs; and
- Encouraging your students to participate in Walk and Roll to School Day, contests and other Safe Routes activities.
- Find out if your school participates in the Sonoma County Safe Routes to School Program.
- Interested?
- Contact Tina Panza at saferoutes@bikesonoma.org or 707-545-0153.
