MILWAUKEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SRTS
 SRTS is a community based
program to increase the safety and number of kids walking and biking to school.
The program includes in-class education, community involvement, police
enforcement of traffic laws, and physical changes like the installation of a
bike parking rack if needed. The SRTS program is free for MPS schools and is
aligned with MPS Learning Targets.
To apply to have Safe Routes to School at
your school, begin by clicking here to take our survey.
Since 2004, 4,500 MPS students have successfully completed Safe Routes to
School. Among these students, there is a 30.1% increase in bike safety
knowledge. After completion of the program, approximately 2/3 of students
surveyed responded that biking or walking was their favorite form of
transportation. All participating schools and teachers have appreciated the
program and would like to continue to participate.
Schools Must Provide:
- One hour a day for two weeks with 5th or 6th grade students for in-school bicycle education
- 2-10 hours of classtime with 1-3rd graders for in-school pedestrian education
- Storage space for 30 bikes during the program
- A parent or staff member interested in encouraging more kids to walk and bike to school
- An environment that is supportive of walking and biking
- Time at meetings for SRTS to be presented
- A desire and willingness to see transportation changes
Schools Receive:
- Free bicycle and pedestrian education
- Free bike helmets for bike program participants
- Help with encouragement events
- Free bicycle rack installation if needed
- Transportation Analysis
- Posters to encourage walking and biking
- Help meeting School Wellness Policies for more active student body
- Possible reduction in number of buses needed
- Possible reduction in number of parents driving their kids to school
- An increased sense of community
In 2007 the Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee Public Schools, and Bicycle Federation of WI were awarded a grant to bring the SRTS program to 24 Milwaukee Public Schools per year through 2009. To apply to have Safe Routes to School at your school, apply here Click Here to take survey . This is a competitive process as there is funding for only 60 schools at this time.
How will this program help my students?
While the Safe Routes to School program can’t guarantee each student will continue walking or biking, it is an important first step that will help your school and community in many ways. Through SRTS, your students will learn how to walk and bike to school safely and the community will be engaged to create a safer environment for walkers and bikers. Students will feel empowered by a fresh sense of responsibility, and will arrive at school focused and ready to positively engage in their learning environment. The SRTS program helps foster an early understanding of the benefits of physical activity, thereby curbing childhood obesity and hopefully leading to a lifelong commitment to healthy choices. In addition to this, increases in active transportation can reduce health care costs, school busing costs and pollution and help schools meet Wellness Policy guidelines.
This program is FREE for Milwaukee Public Schools through a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Milwaukee Public Schools can apply to participate here:
To read more about Safe Routes to School, click here: |
