Safe Routes to School

Safe Routes to School zeros in on making walking and bicycling to and from school safe, convenient and fun. This international movement improves the health and well-being of children, families and school employees as it fosters liveable, sustainable communities and reduces automobile congestion.

The Active Transportation Alliance is the regional expert that spurs Safe Routes to School programs in local communities. The organization advocates for policies at the state level that support walkable and bikeable schools. For more information contact education@activetrans.org.

For Parents and Teachers

School Policy 

Get Involved 

Please note: As of 2011, the Active Transportation Alliance is no longer sponsoring Walk and Roll to School Day Mini Grants. Fortunately, there are other resources available.

Check out the following links for resources and support for International Walk to School Day celebrations:

• Register your event and gain access to free, downloadable resources from the National Center for Safe Routes to School.
• Download a toolkit or request a safety presentation for your Chicago classroom from the City of Chicago's Safe Routes Ambassadors program.
• View Active Transportation Alliance’s education resources and opportunities.

Illinois was one of 20 states selected by the Safe Routes to School National Partnership. As part of this program, the Active Transportation Alliance convened the Illinois Safe Routes to School Network.

The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) National Partnership’s State Network Project brings together state leaders to remove barriers to walking and bicycling to and from school. The Partnership’s 2010–2011 report (PDF) includes policy successes, lessons learned and local success stories that were a result of policy changes led by the 20 state network coalitions, including Illinois.

This report was written by the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, a national network of more than 550 organizations. The report was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the nation’s largest health foundation. Read more about the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, and visit the Illinois State Network, to learn more.