Sheboygan County’s Safe Routes to School Program

Throughout the next year the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin will work with Sheboygan County’s elementary and middle schools to begin Safe Routes to School Programs. Safe Routes to School is a federally-funded program that is being implemented in communities throughout the country to increase the number of children safely walking and biking to school. Walking and biking to school allows students to attain a certain sense of freedom, along with numerous health benefits, and the chance to be seen as a positive role model for other children in their communities.

School Audits

Beginning this summer, the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin will perform walking and bicycling audits within a two mile radius of each elementary and middle school in Sheboygan County. During these audits, the BFW will document and map any hazard or problem areas that might inhibit students walking or biking to school. Some things the BFW will look for are sidewalks, street crossings, street signs, school zones, driver behaviors, and bicycle facilities surrounding each school. Upon completion of the audits, each school will receive a written summary including photographs and a map which will document site conditions, clearly state hazardous areas and identify possible solutions. Schools will then be able to use this summary when applying for grants to fund SRTS related programs and projects through Sheboygan County’s Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program.

While the BFW is able to complete the audits on our own, SRTS programs are most successful when they engage parents and the surrounding community. Anyone interested in increasing the safety of students walking and biking to school is encouraged to attend the audits. Participants will be given a brief overview of Safe Routes to School and trained how to complete the audit. Wear comfortable shoes; the audits will happen rain or shine.

Click here to view a schedule of audits:
Click here to download a flier to help promote the audit at your school:

Bike Ed Program

In the fall, the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin will teach Bike Drivers Ed at four public schools within Sheboygan County: Farnsworth Middle School, Urban Middle School, Sheboygan Falls Middle School, and Riverview Middle School. The ten hour curriculum combines in-class lessons with on-bike skills practice teaching students the rules of the road as well as bike handling skills. Additionally, each student participant will receive a free helmet upon completion of the class and a Saturday family bike ride will be coordinated to encourage family participation. The class schedule and family bike rides are still be scheduled, but a schedule will be posted when dates are determined.

Click here to view the BFW’s Bike Drivers Ed and Walking Wisdom curriculum:

SRTS Committees

To foster an environment supportive of walking and biking, schools are encouraged to set up Safe Routes to Schools committees comprised of parents and faculty dedicated to increasing the safety of their students walking and biking to school. The BFW will help organize SRTS committees at five schools throughout the county with the following goals in mind for the first year:

1. Increase participation in October’s Bike & Walk to School Day
2. Facilitate a school-wide transportation survey
3. Identify other SRTS related programs and projects to be worked towards in the coming year

If you are interested in forming a SRTS committee, please refer to the additional information that is available on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s website:

School Audit Reports and Action Plans

Questions on Sheboygan County’s SRTS program? Please contact Shea Schachameyer, or call (414) 431-1761