Get Your Kids on the Path to Safety
The goal of Safe Routes Utah is to help children get to and from school safely while motivating children to experience the benefits of walking or biking to school.
Why Let Your Child Walk or Bike to School?
The benefits include:
Improved Academics
Students who are healthy, awake and alert show improved academic performance and decreased tardiness and absence due to transportation challenges.
Physical Activity
Daily physical activity builds strong bones, muscles and joints. It forms healthy lifelong habits that decrease the risk of chronic disease and obesity.
Social Development
Spending time with family and community provides positive social opportunities.
Safer Students
Traffic safety instruction and practice increases confidence and safe behaviors. It also decreases dangerous traffic congestion during pickup and drop-off.
Cleaner Air
Walking and biking to school reduces the need for bus services and idling cars during pickup and drop-off.
Saves Time and Money
When you avoid driving your kids to school, you save on gasoline and wear and tear on your car.
Green Ribbon Month Is Pedestrian Safety Month
In Utah, September is Pedestrian Awareness Month, also known as Green Ribbon Month. Many schools take the month to educate students and drivers about pedestrian safety, and of course, we are always on board with teaching pedestrian safety.
Traffic Safety Scavenger Hunt
Our safety scavenger hunt will help students embark on a fun-filled adventure, learning vital safety tips in an engaging and memorable way. From identifying safe crossing points and understanding traffic signals, to practicing how to walk to school safely. The safety scavenger hunt helps children develop practical life skills that extend beyond the school environment, while giving parents the opportunity to discuss safety and peace of mind knowing their student is equipped in safe walking/biking practices.
4 Tips to Stay Cool While Staying Active
Here at Safe Routes, we talk a lot about the pedestrian safety side of walking and rolling. However, during the summertime, it is important to consider some other safety factors when planning activities with your family.
Finding Kid Friendly Trails
A great way to keep walking and rolling over the summer is to get moving with Utah’s trail system! Utah has an abundance of trails suitable for walking, biking and rolling.
4 Places To Find Summer Activities
Being out of school doesn’t have to mean being stuck at home all summer! Here are some fun, easy ideas to keep your kids active, learning and having fun all summer long.
Safety in Numbers – The Walking School Bus
Safe Routes Utah is here to help teach the importance of pedestrian safety to you and your children. As we head into Spring, many of you may be encouraging your children to start spending more time in the sunshine by walking or biking to school. So what can you do to help ensure their safety as they do so? One great option is a walking school bus!
There’s safety in numbers:
Start a walking group in your neighborhood
It’s like a carpool without the car. Coordinate times when the group will walk past each student’s house for pickup. Rotate parents who can walk with the group.