Safe Routes to School is a program that encourages students to commute to school via walking or biking; educates teachers, parents, and students about safe walking and biking; and provides opportunities for students to be more physically active.

Safe Routes to School programs are typically divided into the six "E"'s:

• ENGAGEMENT – All Safe Routes to School initiatives should begin by listening to students, families, teachers, and school leaders and working with existing community organizations, and build intentional, ongoing engagement opportunities into the program structure.

• EQUITY – Ensuring 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.

• ENGINEERING – Creating physical improvements to streets and neighborhoods that make walking and bicycling safer, more comfortable, and more convenient.

• ENCOURAGEMENT – Generating enthusiasm and increased walking and bicycling for students through events, activities, and programs.

• EDUCATION – Providing students and the community with the skills to walk and bicycle safely, educating them about the benefits of walking and bicycling, and teaching them about the broad range of transportation choices.

• EVALUATION – Assessing which approaches are more or less successful, ensuring that programs and initiatives are supporting equitable outcomes, and identifying unintended consequences or opportunities to improve the effectiveness of each approach.

We are excited to partner with schools to make sure we can best provide programming that supports creating safer environments for student, teachers, and families to walk and bike to school, home or around their communities.

Focus Schools for 2023-2024 

We are excited to partner with schools to provide programming that supports safer environments for students, teachers, and families to walk and bike to school and around their communities.

LEAD Cameron Middle (Murfreesboro Corridor)

Robert Churchwell Museum Magnet Elementary (North Nashville)

Paragon Mills Elementary (Nolensville)

Shwab Elementary (Dickerson)

This school year, Walk Bike Nashville will be working directly with our Focus Schools to host bike clinics and skills events, Walk and Bike to School Day, walking school bus programs, school air quality monitoring, and more.

Resources for Nashville Schools

• How to get a bike rack at your school through MNPS

If you are interested in having us work with your school please contact us.

Resources

• National Center for Safe Routes to Schools
• Safe Routes to School District Policy Workbook
• Safe Routes to Schools National Partnership
• How to Start a Walking School Bus

SRTS: In the News

Walking School Bus in Napier

• Napier Elementary walking school bus helps boost attendance
• "Walking School Bus" Helps Napier Students Get to School On Foot and On Time

Walk to School Day October 2022

• Dozens of Nashville schools participate in annual Walk to School day

Encouraging SRTS At Your School