National News:

In 1969, 42% of children in the United States aged five to eighteen walked or bicycled to school. By 2001, 85% of children were driven to school by car or bus, and only 13% walked and 2% bicycled (FHWA 2004). This trend helped spur efforts in the United States to encourage children to walk and bicycle to school by enhancing the appeal, feasibility and safety of these modes of transportation.

The National Safe Routes to School Movement is growing larger and more powerful every day. Combined efforts by parents, schools, community leaders and local, state, and federal governments are improving the health and well-being of children by enabling and encouraging them to walk and bicycle to school. Safe Routes to School programs across the nation are examining the conditions around schools and conducting projects and activities that work to improve safety and reduce traffic and air pollution.

National Resources:

• National Center for Safe Routes to School
• Safe Routes to School National Partnership
• League of American Bicyclists
• Complete Streets Coalition
• National Center for Bicycling and Walking
• Rails to Trails Conservancy
• U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Online resource for inexpensive helmets
• Medical Information Carrier System
• Super Safe Comics featuring Captain Super Safe: "Helmets Protect your Head" and "Time to Be Safe Crossing the Street"