SC Safe Routes Workshops

Over the last week, the South Carolina Safe Routes Team has traveled the state with Jennifer Toole, Principal of Toole Design Group, sharing information about the National Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program. Safe Routes to Schools is a movement of parents, schools and community leaders that encourages students to walk and bike to school.

As we blogged in late September, the Team visited Greenville, Rock Hill, Columbia, and Charleston over the last week to talk about the program, to identify engineering, enforcement, education and encouragement strategies, and to observe the school dismissal of a nearby school.

In South Carolina, the first school that was awarded SRTS funding was in Spartanburg, in 2001. Currently, the following schools have received SRTS infrastructure funding:

Unfortunately, this program is not permanent. Many members of Congress who are against any type of Federal funding of bicycle/walking projects would like to see programs like Safe Routes eliminated. With the Federal transportation re-authorization being worked on as I type on this blog, there is a risk that Safe Routes, along with other valuable programs like Transportation Enhancements, could be removed. Now more than ever it is crucial that advocates and proponents of the SRTS program remain vigilant in their support of the funding of this, and other such valuable programs.

Let’s not end on a negative note, however. Here is a bit of inspiration from a Greenville school to remind us why Federally funded programs like this are so valuable! (thanks to LiveWell Greenville for the video)

Safe Routes to School from Eleanor Dunlap on Vimeo.