5/30/2007
ITD to launch Safe Routes to School program with community funding awards
BOISE - In an effort to encourage and enable children to walk and bike to school safely, the Idaho Transportation Department will launch its Safe Routes to School (SR2S) program Friday with an announcement of funding awards to Idaho communities totaling $1.5 million.
The news conference will be at 1:30 p.m. at Trail Wind Elementary School, 3701 E. Lake Forrest Drive, in Boise.
Idaho's First Lady Lori Otter will name the 21 communities receiving the state's 2006 - 2007 SR2S funding awards. Dr. Jerry Hirschfeld, a child safety advocate and administrator of St. Luke's Children's Hospital in Boise, will talk about how the lack of physical exercise affects children's overall health. Also attending will be representatives from the Federal Highway Administration, ITD, the Idaho Chief's of Police Association and Idaho Smart Growth.
The program reimburses schools, communities and other organizations that improve walking and bicycling routes for school children.
"When routes are safe, walking or biking to and from school is an easy way to get the regular physical activity kids need for good health," Otter said. "Idaho's children will benefit greatly from this program."
Children from Trail Wind Elementary will participate in a "walking school bus" demonstration showing how groups of children can walk together to reach school.
The Ada County Highway District and Boise School District/YMCA will share in more than $100,000 for safe routes projects in the Treasure Valley.
Childhood asthma and diabetes rates have been increasing steadily in recent years, while the number of children walking and biking to school has declined. According to the 2001 National Household Travel Survey, less than 16 percent of students between the ages of 5 and 15 walked or biked to school.
The U.S. Congress designated a total of $612 million for developing the national Safe Routes to School program as part of the 2005 Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).
The federal funds are dedicated to facilitate SR2S projects that enhance children's health and well-being, ease traffic congestion near schools, improve air quality and improve overall quality of life in Idaho communities.