Safe Routes to School

One of my passions is making sure our Community is one where folks feel safe.  A vehicle we use to do this for our youngest citizens is Safe Routes to Schools or SRTS - many areas in Violet Township don't have sidewalks.  In 2006 we partnered with the Pickerington Schools ad the City of Pickerington to utilize a Federal Grant Program to increase safe routes for our area children to walk to school - below is an article written a few years ago by our Township Engineer that explains the program well.  I hope this is a program I can continue to support for the next four years with your help.  

Vote for Gary Weltlich for Violet Township Trustee on November 3rd!

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

By Greg Butcher, PE

Many of us remember a time when walking and bicycling to school was a part of everyday life.  Data from the Federal Highway Administration revealed that in 1969, about half of all students walked or bicycled to school.  Today, however, the story is very different.  Nationally, fewer than 15 percent of all school trips are made by walking or bicycling, one-quarter are made on a school bus, and over half of all children arrive at school in private automobiles.

This decline in walking and bicycling has had an adverse effect on air quality around schools, as well as pedestrian and bicycling safety,  Additionally, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention has gathered evidence that children who lead sedentary lifestyles are at risk for a variety of health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

The purpose of the Federal Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) Program is to address these issues head on.  The SRTS Program empowers communities to make walking and bicycling to school a safe and routine activity once again.

The Pickerington Local Schools SRTS Committee was formed in 2006.  It is a grass roots committee comprised of staff from the Pickerington Local School District, Violet Township, the City of Pickerington as well as residents from our community.  The local program’s goals are to address parents’ safety concerns, educate children and the public on walking and bicycling safely, partner with law enforcement and develop plans to create safer streets.

The Pickerington SRTS committee has been instrumental in securing nearly $1.4 million dollars in federal funding since 2008.  The table below summarizes the funding received.  

Year	Grant Funding
2008	$292,000
2009	$330,000
2010	$300,000
2012	$460,000

The grant funding has allowed for the construction of sidewalks within the Summerfield subdivision around Fairfield Elementary.  Three other projects are in various stages of planning and design.  These projects are near Violet Elementary School in the Chevington Village subdivision, along Long Road near Pickerington Elementary and near Harmon Middle School along Harmon Road and within the Woodsfield subdivision. 

Furthermore, the local committee has sponsored several educational and safety events over the last 5 years, including Walking School Bus Demonstrations, Walk To School with Police and Military Personnel Day, and Bike to School Day.  Additionally, the committee has produced and distributed fliers to students describing the health benefits of walking and bicycling to school.  During the 2012-2013 school year, bike helmets will be provided at no cost to all Pickerington Local School District students in grades 5 and 6.