Did you know???

• Thirty years ago, 66% of U.S. children walked to school, today that number has dropped to 13%
• Being hit by a car is the leading cause of death of children ages 5 to 9
• Nearly 1 in 4 kids is overweight or at risk of obesity
• Close to 20% of morning rush-hour trips involve driving kids to school

In response to these statistics, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia developed Safe Routes Philly, a youth education and encouragement program modeled off of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) movement. SRTS programs can improve safety not just for children, but for a community of pedestrians and bicyclists as well. SRTS provides opportunities for people to become more physically active and to rely less on cars. Safe Routes Philly is educating and encouraging more of our children to walk and bicycle safely to school and in so doing expanding the opportunities for all in Philadelphia County to do the same. Sustainable programs help make bicycling and walking to school safer and more appealing as a form of transportation thus encouraging a healthier and more active lifestyle for the community as a whole.

PUBLIC SCHOOL PROGRAMMING

As part of the Communities Putting Prevention to Work city-wide initiative, Safe Routes Philly offers support and materials for all public elementary school teachers on pedestrian and bicycle safety. Safe Routes Philly Community Representatives work with school principals, school champions, and with individual school wellness councils to facilitate sustained promotion of active living and bicycle/pedestrian safety within each school. As part of this initiative, Safe Routes Philly is creating curriculum, with a supporting website and telephone-based resource center, to assist the 2nd and 5th grade teachers in implementing a 45-60 minute bicycle and pedestrian lesson. In addition to the provided curriculum we are looking forward to helping individual schools create sustained encouragement campaigns to get their kids walking and biking on a regular basis.

PRIVATE, PAROCHIAL, INDEPENDENT, CHARTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING

Through federal transportation dollars our Safe Routes Philly youth instructor teaches a 45-60 minute in-class lesson to any private, parochial, independent or charter school in Philadelphia County. Our bicycle safety lesson targets fifth graders in order to provide the skills necessary for safe urban riding before they reach the critical age of twelve. City law requires those over the age of 12 to ride in the street (and not on the sidewalk). In addition to riding safely, students learn to view the bicycle as a good means of recreation, exercise and transportation. Contact us today to schedule a class for your school.

Click here for a printable version of Safe Routes Philly Brochure