JUST WHAT IS "SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL"

Hi All,

Not having any kids in school, I probably miss a lot of communication that I would normally get. Bill Ormerod put up several postings on "Safe Routes To School," but I really didn't know what it was all about, so in my newletter I send out to a number of people happened to mention that I would be interested in knowing just what it is. Now out of the hundreds of people that are on this newsletter, there is very little information I can get if I send out a plea.

Below is an explanation of "Safe Routes To School."

Morning Henry,

Safe Routes to School is a Federally Funded Program administered by the State Transportation Agency. It is intended to benefit kids walking and biking to school regularly, routinely, and safely. The program integrates elements of transportation, economics, health and physical activity, environmental awareness and safety into one program.

The Vermont SR2S program will provide support in the form of funding and services to participating schools. There will be a comprehensive approach to improving education and infrastructure with several elements including encouraging walking and biking to school, traffic education and enforcement. 100% funding will also be provided for sidewalk improvements, traffic calming and speed reduction, pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements, on-street bike facilities, shared paths, bike parking, etc. A task force will work with local educators and town representatives to evaluate what is needed and facilitate improvements to the road/sidewalk/parking infrastructure.

The task force will be a collaborative with the Vt. Dept. of Health, Vt. Dept. of Education, American Heart Association, State Bicycle and Pedestrian Organization, State land use planning organizations, Vt. Dept. of Housing and Community Affairs, Governor's Highway Safety Council/Law Enforcement, School supervisory Union, and Regional Planning Commission.

Call or e-mail me with any questions or suggestions.

Colleen

I won't put Colleen's email address up here, but if you have further questions, e-mail me and I will forward to her.

Now I know why Fairfax was so anxious to be one of the towns selected.