Title: Policies for Pupils: Working with School Boards on Walking and Bicycling Policies Track: Change Format: 90 minute panel Abstract: Engaging schools in walking and bicycling efforts can be difficult given competing education priorities and frequent staff and volunteer turn-over. Attendees will learn about strategies for influencing school boards and policy opportunities at the district level. Presenters: Presenter: Sara Zimmerman Safe Routes to School National Partnership Co-Presenter: Diane Dohm ChangeLab Solutions Co-Presenter: Bree Romero Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Co-Presenter: Leigh Ann Von Hagen Voorhees Transportation Center, Rutgers University

1. Policies for Pupils Working with School Boards on Walking and Bicycling Policies

2. About the National Partnership
We are a nonprofit organization that improves the quality of life for kids and communities by promoting active, healthy lifestyles and safe infrastructure that supports bicycling and walking.
We advance policy change; catalyze support for safe, active, and healthy communities with a network of more than 700 partner organizations; and we share our deep expertise at national, state, and local levels with those who are helping propel our mission forward.

3. •Diane Dohm, ChangeLab Solutions
Why Policy?
•Bree Romero, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
Transportation Equity 101
•Sara Zimmerman, Safe Routes to School National Partnership
Policy Options and the Online Safe Routes to School Policy Workbook
•Leigh Ann Von Hagen, Voorhees Transportation Center
The New Jersey Experience
•Policy Jeopardy
•Q&A
Our Agenda for Today

4. •Movement that encourages kids to walk and bicycle to school
•Federal transportation bill: funding for programs and infrastructure
•Many states and regions have their own initiatives & funding
What Is Safe Routes to School?

5. Addresses many problems
•Children’s health and obesity
•Climate change
•Air pollution
•Dangers of street crime and violence
•Danger of traffic injuries when walking, biking, and using public transportation
Benefits of Safe Routes to School

6. Goal:
Healthy, Thriving Kids and Communities

7. Policies for Pupils: Policy Options and the Policy Workbook
Sara Zimmerman, JD
Technical Assistance Director

8. •Physical activity supports academic achievement
•When children are healthier, they learn better
•Physically active kids have better attendance rates
•Safe Routes to School helps children arrive safely at school
How do school districts benefit from Safe Routes to School?

9. Policy Opportunities Beyond School Board Policies
•Wellness policies
•Transportation department policies
•Curricula (e.g. health and PE)
•Other plans or policies required by state law (safety plans, etc.)
•Parent and student handbooks
•Webpages

10. Blah blah blah policy. What are they actually talking about? Can we get some details?

12. Crossing Guards
Components:
•Ensure process for hiring, training, and equipping
•Work to ensure that the distribution is equitable
•Seek more funding if necessary

13. Limiting Restrictions on Active Transportation
•Acknowledges schools generally don’t have the authority to restrict how kids get to school
•Prohibits individual schools from placing such restrictions

14. •Basic policy: Require abundant bicycle parking
•Increase with demand
•Options: Locate in visible areas, locked if necessary; protection from the elements
Bike Parking

15. Creative Commons Flickr: Caitlinator
Department’s role includes:
•Encouraging walking & biking; minimizing cars near school
•Participating in SRTS task force
•Looking for funding for SRTS activities
•Option: devote % FTE
Student Transportation
Departments

16. •Free online tool that lets you review different possible policy provisions
•Educational tool
•Create your very own policy tailored to your local needs
What is the policy workbook?

17. Basic Slide Heading
•Basic slide body

18. Basic Slide Heading
•Basic slide body
http://changelabsolutions.org/safe-routes/welcome
“Beginner” Policies

19. Basic Slide Heading
•Basic slide body
http://changelabsolutions.org/safe-routes/welcome
“Intermediate” Policies

20. Basic Slide Heading
•Basic slide body
http://changelabsolutions.org/safe-routes/welcome
“Advanced” Policies

21. Policy Workbook Development
•Basic slide body
http://changelabsolutions.org/safe-routes/welcome

22. Policy Workbook Development
•Basic slide body
Explanation
Citations
Policy Options
Star Ratings
http://changelabsolutions.org/safe-routes/welcome

23. Policy Workbook Development
•Basic slide body
Legal Notes!

24. Policy Workbook Development
•Basic slide body
Educational resources related to policy

25. Policy Workbook Development
•Basic slide body
Recommendations
When you’re ready to see the final policy

26. Walking School Buses and Bicycle Trains
Explanation: By encouraging groups of students to walk or bicycle to school together,
Walking School Buses and Bicycle Trains effectively address a variety of parental
concerns about safety. These programs can be part of an organized school-wide effort,
with trained safety leaders and multiple groups walking or bicycling from different
neighborhoods to the school. Or informal groups of children can meet up to walk,
skateboard, scooter, or ride together. Younger students can be accompanied by an adult
volunteer or older student. Walking School Buses and Bike Trains are effective tools for
reducing traffic safety risk and improving personal safety.[44] They reduce the risk of
bullying and other personal harm by bringing more eyes and ears to the street, a known
crime reduction technique. They also build social cohesion and can even reduce
tardiness.
District requires that individual schools establish and promote regular Walking School
Bus or Bicycle Train programs. Such programs shall occur on a regular basis, at least
[one per week].
Legal Note on Liability and Walking School Buses: School districts are often concerned
about their potential exposure to liability if a child were to be injured while participating
in a Walking School Bus or Bicycle Train program. Although liability rules vary from
state to state, districts are generally entirely immune from liability for decisions to
simply sponsor or endorse a program such as a Walking School Bus or Bicycle Train
program.[45] Sponsoring a program can involve allowing it to take place, informing
Tailored Policy

27. •Presents a wide array of policy options
•Assists districts in committing to strong policies
•Helps avoid problems and liability concerns by ensuring a well thought-through, vetted approach
Why use the policy workbook?

28. Additional Resources
www.saferoutespartnership.org

29. Sara Zimmerman
Technical Assistance Director
sara@saferoutespartnership.org

30. School Design

31. New schools and renovations: site design
Option 1:
•Commits the district generally to accommodating safety for all modes
Option 1:

32. Option 2:
Option 2: Adds specifics, such as:
•Having multiple entrances from different streets for active transportation
•Avoid entrances and exits on busy streets
New schools and renovations: site design

33. Student Arrival & Dismissal Procedures
•Recognizes that this can be a dangerous time
•District requires schools to separate each mode from the others as much as possible
•Provides a variety of strategies

36. Overview
•What’s in it for districts?
•Beyond the school board policy
•Examples of policy provisions
•Do it yourself District Policy Workbook

39. School Travel Plan

40. •School travel plan: A strategic plan with maps, benchmarks, and objectives, for supporting active transportation
•Each school required to adopt a school travel plan

43. School Siting/ Attendance Zones

44. Constance Beaumont
•School locations are important & long term
•Decisions are often ad hoc
•Good policies can provide a process and balance interests

45. Workbook has basic version

46. Or use the stand alone policies

47. Busing

48. Option 1:
Option 2:
Option 3:

50. Legal note in policy workbook:
•Discusses issues re who runs the program – district, police department, or other
•Notes potential for liability issues
•Provides best practices/good steps

52. •Option: Also, makes these requirements a specific % of job duties