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AT A GLANCE
SAFE ROUTES
TO SCHOOL
Over three years, Bi-State Regional
Commission supported 10 sites
in developing Safe Routes to
School Plans in order to increase
access for physical activity
opportunities in the Quad Cities.
Each plan began by establishing
communication with local area
school districts in an effort to
identify schools interested in
implementing Safe Routes to
School (SRTS) policies. Bi-State
transportation planners were
primarily focused on recruiting
schools in low-income areas due
to their increased financial and
geographic vulnerability. Through
dialogue between school officials
and community organizations, Bi-
State planners were able to secure
the commitment of two Rock
Island elementary schools and one
elementary school in Davenport
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WHAT ARE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL?
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a national program that creates
safe, convenient, and fun opportunities for children to walk and
bicycle to and from their schools. A comprehensive program must New
be established to create an environment that enhances, supports,
emphasizes a universal approach to address barriers and create 10 Sites
and sustains walking and cycling as good options for travel. It
improvements in five areas: in Scott County and Rock
Island County have
Engineering: Physical improvements to the environment such as Safe Routes to
crosswalks, sidewalks, bike lanes, and signals
School Plans.
Education: Methods to teach children, parents, and neighbors
about the benefits of actively traveling to school as well as
instructing age-appropriate walking, driving, and cycling behaviors
to support safe travel in the school zone
Encouragement: Programs such as Walk to School Day, the Walking
School Bus, contests, and other initiatives to encourage children
(and their parents or guardians) to walk or bicycle to school More than
Enforcement: Incorporates law enforcement efforts to ensure 15,00O
drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians obey traffic laws and practice
safe and appropriate behavior near schools
guardians, and staff
Evaluation: Uses measurements to ascertain the success of a SRTS students, parents,
program, e.g., the tallying of the number of children walking or reached by Safe
bicycling to school Routes to School
PARTICIPATING SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL SITES efforts over
For more information see: guide.saferoutesinfo.org three years.
• Buffalo Elementary School, Buffalo, Iowa
• Earl Hanson Elementary School, Rock Island, Illinois
• Edward White Elementary School, Eldridge, Iowa school with a predominantly Scott School District participant
• Eugene Field Elementary School, Rock Island, Illinois minority, low-income, multilingual in Eldridge, Iowa. Year three also Detailed
• Hayes Elementary School, Davenport, Iowa student base. The commitment had a unique set of circumstances. assessments
• Lincoln-Irving Elementary School, Moline, Illinois of this school also fostered a It was the first time developing
• Longfellow Elementary School, Rock Island, Illinois partnership with the community a plan for a large middle school provided to each participating
• Madison Elementary School, Davenport, Iowa organization Global Communities, (Wilson Middle School-Moline) site that recommend
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, Rock Island, Illinois which is the driving force behind with a diverse population of more
• Wilson Middle School, Moline, Illinois the revitalization efforts of the than 800 students. In Eldridge, the safest routes
Floreciente Neighborhood in Edward White Elementary School to and
Moline where many of the Lincoln- staff and student-parent body had
for year one of the PICH grant. Irving students live. During year some existing walking and biking from their
During year two, efforts were three of the grant, Bi-State again practices already in place. Working
“By encouraging expanded to four participating partnered with the Rock Island- with a community that valued the facilities.
and reinforcing the sites; three schools and one Milan and Moline-Coal Valley basic SRTS principles prior to the
community center. In addition School Districts, and also secured plan development proved to be a
benefits of walking to the continued involvement the commitment from a North vital reinforcement of the project.
and biking to school, of the Rock Island-Milan and
Davenport School Districts, the Safe Routes to School plans
these sites may set a Moline-Coal Valley School District were also shared with school
precedent for their also became an active partner. A TAKE ACTION district offices and city public
works departments to encourage
students that could SRTS Plan for a local community collaboration.
center in Rock Island was written
impact the rest of because of its city-wide utilization 1. Encourage your neighborhood school to
develop a Safe Routes to School Plan.
their adult lives... It by Rock Island students; the 2. Be a Safe Routes to School champion
summer youth program and the
all amounts to living a after school programs warranted to sustain momentum.
healthier lifestyle.” a proper walking and biking
assessment. In addition, the Moline
- Dave Soliz, Safe Routes to School school Lincoln-Irving served as a
Planner, Bi-State Regional Commission prime example of an elementary
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