Safe Routes to School Greater Washington

Bicycling organizations in the Greater Washington area promote National Bike to School Day on May 8th.

Several local organizations committed to bicycling to school joined together to issue a joint press release about National Bike to School Day on May 8th. The Greater Washington region Safe Routes to School network is proud to join these organizations in asking all schools in the Greater Washington region to participate in bicycling to school on May 8th. Not only does bicycling to school give our kids much needed physical activity but it keeps cars off of neighborhood streets and most importantly, the kids have FUN! May 8th is a chance to try riding to school if you have not before. If you regularly ride to school, ask a neighbor to join you!

The full press release is below.

Bicycling organizations in the Greater Washington area promote National Bike to School Day on May 8th

April 29, 2013

Multiple organizations in the Greater Washington area join together with schools from around the country to celebrate National Bike to School Day on May 8 2013.

Thousands of students throughout the area will be riding or walking to school along with parents, teachers and community leaders.

Leaders from the Washington Area Bicycle Association, BikeArlington, Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling, TrailsforYouth, Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition and the Greater Washington DC Region Safe Routes to School Network,   all encourage parents to leave their cars in the driveway and join their children in riding to school on May 8th.

To date over 70 schools in the Greater Washington DC region have signed up to participate in National Bike to School Day.  More are expected as the day gets closer and are encouraged to register their school at http://www.walkbiketoschool.org.

Julie Childers, Executive Director for TrailsforYouth.Org who has been implementing SRTS programs locally for over 5 years has this to say, “It’s fantastic to see such interest and involvement within the Metro DC communities for promoting biking to school. I hope that we see continued grow and more kids safely riding their bikes to school.”

Bike to School Day encourages a nationwide bike-focused celebration for students in the month of May and builds on the popularity and success of International Walk to School Day, which is celebrated across the country – and the world – each October.

“BikeArlington and WalkArlington have been coordinating with Arlington Public Schools and the response has been tremendous.  All Arlington elementary, middle and high schools will be celebrating biking and walking to school on May 8”, says Chris Eatough of BikeArlington.

Bike to School Day events raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for bicycling and walking and emphasize the importance of increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, reducing traffic congestion and concern for the environment. The events build connections between families, schools and the broader community.

Christine Green of the Greater Washington DC Safe Routes to School Network says “National Bike to School Day is an opportunity for schools and families to learn how easy it is to make the trip to school active and safe. Students who are physically active are healthier and perform better academically. What a better way to start the day than with a bike ride even a few days a week!”

For additional information, please visit these websites or contact Christine Green at christine@saferoutespartnership.org.

Walk and Bike to School Day 
National Center for Safe Routes to School 
Greater Washington DC Region Safe Routes to School Network

Now Hiring: Active Transportation Policy Fellow – Greater Washington DC for the Safe Routes to School National Partnership

The Safe Routes to School National Partnership (National Partnership) is seeking a professional and detail-oriented candidate with experience in bicycle and pedestrian advocacy or policy to join the National Partnership as the Greater Washington DC Active Transportation Fellow. This is a temporary, contract position. Applications are due Wednesday, April 24, 2013 by 12 p.m. ET.

The Active Transportation Fellow will work with the Regional Network Manager and Greater Washington DC Regional Policy Manager to advocate for improved transportation funding allocations and policies for Safe Routes to School, Complete Streets and walking and bicycling. Please review the scope of work for the position for detailed information and application instructions.

Required qualifications for the Greater Washington DC Active Transportation Policy Fellow include: demonstrated experience in social media; student work or personal work in bicycle and pedestrian advocacy or policy; knowledge of Safe Routes to School and/or Complete Streets; ability to write case studies, participate in work groups and present to a variety of audiences; self-starter; detail-oriented; proficient with social media such as Twitter, Facebook and WordPress, PCs and with MS Office software. The successful candidate will work from their home office with their own personal computer, internet access and telephone. Candidate must be able to attend meetings throughout the region, some of which are not Metro accessible.

The final deadline for applications is Wednesday, April 24, 2013 by 12:00 p.m. ET.  Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply early.  Telephone inquiries are not accepted. Please see the full scope of work and application instructions.

We look forward to hearing from qualified candidates interested in joining our dynamic, visionary and growing non-profit.

The Safe Routes to School National Partnership was founded in 2005 and is a network of more than 600 organizations. The National Partnership mission is to advocate for safe walking and bicycling to and from schools, and in daily life, to improve the health and well-being of America’s children and to foster the creation of livable, sustainable communities.  The Safe Routes to School National Partnership is hosted by the nonprofit Bikes Belong Foundation which is an equal opportunity employer.

Bikes Belong Foundation is an equal opportunity employer

Please forward this announcement to prospective candidates!  Thank you.

Webinars from the National Learning Network

Two upcoming webinars address Safe Routes to School within the school district structure. In the Greater Washington region, all of our Safe Routes to School Coordinators are in departments of transportation or planning. These webinars will show us how Safe Routes to School is included within school districts.

Maximizing District-Wide Impact of Safe Routes to School: Educating School District Transportation Departments

April 18^th at 2p

Speakers are from school transportation departments that incorporate Safe Routes to School! This is invaluable insight!

Maximizing District-Wide Impact of Safe Routes to School: Educating Principals and School Boards

May 16^th at 2p

Register now!

Funding for Safe Routes to School Activities

Physical Activity Grants

Action for Healthy Kids is announcing School Grants for Healthy Kids. Grants are $1,000 to $5,000 for the 2013-2014 school year. Physical activity is one grant category. An informational webinar will be held on Wednesday, April 10th from 4:00-5:00pm. You must register and webinars will be archived so you may view them later. More information can be found on their website.

Safe Routes to School Grants in Virginia

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Safe Routes to School Program still has QuickStart Mini-grants  of $1,000 available. Deadlines are April 18 and May 16 but you are encouraged to apply early. VDOT will also host a Safe Routes to School workshop in Front Royal on April 10th.