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Safe Routes Utah Blog

Mother and son with a backpack on walking in a crosswalk to school.

Back to School: Slowing Down the Neighborhood 

Summer is officially wrapping up, and Utah’s neighborhood streets are trading quiet mornings for the vibrant chaos of a brand-new school year. Fresh sneakers are hitting the pavement, backpacks are stuffed to the brim, and kids are out walking, biking, and scootering to class in full force. But after months of driving on wide-open summer roads, it’s easy for drivers to forget how a familiar commute changes when the school bells start ringing. Before you put the keys in the ignition, remember that the most important back-to-school supply isn’t in a store aisle, it’s a heavy foot on the brake pedal.

August 5, 2026
Little boy wearing a red bicycle helmet outdoors

The Bright Side: Your Guide to Seeing and Being Seen

Stepping out for the morning trip to school, whether on two wheels or two feet, is a great way to build independence, but it requires a “safety-first” mindset to navigate the unpredictability of traffic.

March 3, 2026
Red text slogan: GET TO SCHOOL a new way

The Car Line vs. The “Walking School Bus” 

For a number of reasons parents often feel safer driving their kids to school rather than letting them walk or bike. This creates quite a paradox: to keep our kids safe from the traffic around their school, we feel compelled to drive them. However, the danger of the school zone is the sheer volume of cars driving on the streets around our schools.

January 22, 2026
Crossing guard in yellow safety vest holds stop sign while people cross street at crosswalk on sunny day with mountains visible in background.

Walking in the Winter has Surprising Benefits

When winter arrives in Utah, it’s easy to default to driving your kids to school. The frosty air, icy sidewalks, and snow make the car seem like the coziest option. However, encouraging your child to walk to school, even in the cold, can have surprising benefits. Bundling up and taking a walk outside can boost their physical and mental health, build resilience, and teach safety skills.

December 24, 2024
Two young children, a boy and a girl, are dressed as a calaveras skeletons for Halloween. They are ready to trick or treat for candy while holding illuminated Jack O' Lanterns in a local residential neighborhood. Image taken in Utah, USA.

Review These Pedestrian Basics for Halloween

Halloween is one of the most exciting nights of the year for kids, filled with costumes, candy, and adventure with friends. However, with all the fun comes an important responsibility: staying safe. Here are some essential tips to keep your kids safe while trick-or-treating.

October 15, 2024
White text FAQ: What is the WALK & ROLL CHALLENGE on orange background with walking person and scooter rider icons integrated into letters

FAQ: Walk & Roll Challenge 

The Safe Routes Walk & Roll Challenge encourages students to walk, bike, or roll to school safely, with fun prizes for participation. Walking, biking, or rolling to and from school isn’t just fun, it also promotes physical wellness, improves cognitive abilities, teaches critical social skills, encourages independence, and lowers anxiety and depression. Additionally, it cuts down on traffic around school zones and helps improve our air quality!

September 24, 2024
A crossing guard in bright yellow safety vest stands with a young student on a sidewalk near a stop sign, both waving at the camera.

A Champion for Traffic Safety

Safety has always been a big priority in the Jones household, so it was no surprise when Lincoln chose to research the history of the traffic light for his history project. Lincoln lives by a busy road and has witnessed many cars passing by his house daily. He has also heard many sirens rushing by to attend to crashes at the intersection close by. These observations, along with his mom being a crossing guard, sparked his interest in the importance of traffic lights and their role in preventing crashes.

July 22, 2024
A small group of school-aged children are seen swimming in an indoor pool during a lesson. They are each wearing swimsuits and smiling as they tread water.

Active All Summer: Summer Programs to Keep Kids Moving

Backpacks have been thrown into the closet, pens and pencils have been stowed away until next year, and school is officially out for summer! But, just because the school year has come to an end, doesn’t mean that you have to be cooped up in your house all summer long. Here are some fun, accessible activities and programs to help your kids stay active this summer.

June 12, 2024