The Safe Routes to School program, which was started as a pilot project two years ago with just three bikes, now has many students participating. The program's first conference will be held in Michigan next month.
According to reports, the program funds the federal Department of Transportation to help build sidewalks, post traffic signs and find ways to make it easier for students to bike or walk to school. As of now, only about 15 percent of schoolchildren travel to school under their own power. The program seeks to overcome biking or walking obstacles that hinder many children from going to school on their own. As it's easier for parents to make a quick drive to drop their kids off to school, many school children avoid going on bikes.
Also, a large number of parents worry about their child's safety because of traffic or strangers. For children who love miles away from home, buses are often a safer option. The new program aims to overcome the hindrances by getting parents involved with their kids by encouraging them to go on short walks or bike rides to school and work with police departments and city planners. This would help make the commute easier for kids.
The Safe Routes program is running successfully in about 20 states including California and Florida. Program spokeswoman Carrie Hamblin told AP, "This is about teaching kids about activity and giving them a safe area where they can walk from home to school."
