Safe Routes to School

Focusing on safe and healthy spaces where kids can be physically active and travel to school has many benefits. Children who walk and bike to school arrive alert and ready for their day, learn how to navigate traffic safely, and contribute to cleaner air quality near schools. Safe Routes to School programs enhance the health and well-being of our community.

What is Safe Routes to School (SRTS)?

Safe Routes to School is an initiative that works to make it safe, convenient, and fun for children to walk and bike to and from schools. The goal is to get more children walking and bicycling to school, improve kids' safety, and increase health and physical activity. We have been working on these goals since 2007, along with our school and community partners.

The Safe Routes to School program is guided by the 6 E’s:

• Engagement begins with listening to students, families, teachers, and school leaders. Listening helps us work with each other to build intentional, ongoing opportunities that shape our community.
  
  
• Equity will ensure that Safe Routes to School initiatives are benefiting all demographic groups, with particular attention to ensuring safe, healthy, and fair outcomes for low-income students, students of color, students of all genders, students with disabilities, and others.
  
  
• Encouragement activities make walking & biking to school exciting and fun. Joining a Walking School Bus or Bike Train can encourage children to get involved and be physically active on the way to school.
  
  
• Education activities promote the benefits of walking and biking. These activities will teach students, parents, drivers, and the community about safe habits for walking and biking.
  
  
• Engineering focuses on improving streets and neighborhoods to make walking and bicycling safer, comfortable, and convenient.
  
  
• Evaluation helps measure the impact of our work. Using tools to collect and analyze data helps the program meet the needs of schools and communities.

Our Program

The La Crosse County Safe Routes to School program reaches over 8,000 students and family members through:

• Schools and their Safe Routes to School Liaisons
• Bicycle and pedestrian education
• Bike helmet distribution at schools and events
• Weekly Walking School Buses and Bike Trains
• Walk to School Day, Bike to School Day and other annual events
• Collaboration with community partners to address concerns related to walking and biking

School/Community Safe Routes to School Plans

City of La Crosse  
Village of Holmen 
Village of West Salem 
City of Onalaska  

Get Involved

Contact our Safe Routes to School Team at [email protected]

Learn more about Safe Routes to School on the National Center for Safe Routes to School and the Safe Routes Partnership websites.