RAGBRAI

The Iowa Safe Routes to School Encouragement and Education Program was awarded a grant of $136,295 from the Iowa Department of Transportation this week.

On January 12, the DOT approved non-infrastructure grant money to Iowa Safe Routes to School, enabling the program to continue its role as a resource for communities throughout the state.  Iowa Safe Routes to School has already reached over 30 communities in Iowa and will be able to expand its offerings with the latest grant.

Molly Gable, Program Director of Iowa Safe Routes to School, said, “Our program has been successful since its start in 2007, as we have been able to impact 14,000 students.  We are happy to continue to receive funding and be able to increase our influence across the state.”

The Iowa Safe Routes to School Program plans to implement an on-site bicycle safety education course for students and publish a guide for law enforcement officials by January 2011.  The grant money also ensures the continuation of programs and resources that assist Iowa communities in establishing their own Safe Routes to School programs. 

“The past years we have focused the program on providing guidance and information to school and community leaders.  It is exciting that that this new funding will allow us to expand our outreach to the students,” Gable said.  

Currently, Iowa Safe Routes offers workshops for community leaders on how to start their own programs, resources for teachers and parents, and crossing guard training.  Digital publications, including an e-newsletter, are sent out by the Iowa Safe Routes Program to keep communities enthusiastic about Safe Routes and connected to the latest program information.

Iowa Safe Routes has developed several print publications, including a curriculum to help teachers  incorporate walking and bicycling into lesson plans and an encouragement guide that shows communities how to implement activities that increase walking or biking, as well as guides to assist communities in starting their own Safe Routes to School program.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Iowa Safe Routes to School program can visit www.iowasaferoutes.org or www.iowadot.gov/saferoutes.