IN.gov - Skip Navigation

Note: This message is displayed if (1) your browser is not standards-compliant or (2) you have you disabled CSS. Read our Policies for more information.

INDOT > Safety > Indiana Safe Routes to School Program Indiana Safe Routes to School Program

The Indiana Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program is based on the federal program designed to make walking and bicycling to school safe and routine. Walking and bicycling are viable transportation alternatives for travel to and from school with significant potential benefits, among them reductions in motor vehicle traffic, associated fuel consumption for school trips and improved air quality. Crossing

When SAFETE-LU was signed into law in 2005, the evidence was clear that disturbing weight gains among American children and a growing nationwide obesity epidemic threatened our health. Bicycling and walking to school helps establish a healthy, active lifestyle from an early age. Generally, increased physical activity among school-aged children contributes to their improved personal health. However, towns with established SRTS programs also report a stronger sense of community identity and increased social skills among school-aged children.

INDOT is responsible for administering the Indiana SRTS Program that makes federal funding available for eligible activities and improvements. INDOT created an application process to evaluate candidate projects. An SRTS Advisory Committee reviews applications and make recommendations to fund infrastructure projects and non-infrastructure activities.

Visit the SRTS Program Parameters to learn more about the parameters of Indiana's SRTS program, to find out about funding administration, and to see a complete list of eligible infrastructure projects and non-infrastructure activities.

What's New

  • Walk & Bike to School Activity Gears Up for Spring
  • 2012 SRTS Infrastructure Application Form
  • 2012 SRTS Non-Infrastructure Application Form
  • 2012 SRTS Application Guide
  • Indiana SRTS Program Update
  • 2012 Benchmarking Report from Alliance for Biking & Walking
  • First National Bike to School Day
  • Tip Sheet for Planning Your Bike To School Event

Indiana's SRTS Program Update

West Lafayette CSRPIndiana’s 2011 SRTS Program application cycle is complete.  All proposals were reviewed and rated by the SRTS Advisory Committee in summer of 2011, recommendations were submitted to the INDOT Commissioner, and applicants were notified in the fall whether their proposals were selected for funding.

Despite not having a new 6-year transportation bill, plans are underway for the 2012 application cycle. Applications will be accepted by INDOT from March 19, 2012 and extending through May 29, 2012.  To offer more opportunities to apply two weeks were added to this year’s application cycle. Indiana applicants are advised to emphasize increased physical activity among students, improved student health, and efforts to reduce parents driving children to school and short-distance bussing. More effective school walking and biking policies are sill encouraged.

Potential applicants are advised to read the 2012 SRTS Application Guide for updates to the program and requirement changes. Links to the 2012 application forms and application guide are available below. Cost estimates for pedestrian and bicycle facilities have also been updated for 2012.

Did You Know...

If the number of kids who walk and bike to school was restored to 1969 levels, our nation would cut 3.2 billion vehicle miles, 1.5 million tons of CO2, and 89,000 tons of other pollutants annually. This is the equivalent of keeping more than 250,000 cars off the road for a year.---Pedroso, M., 2008

"...I know how important it is that we provide students with safe options for getting to school while promoting exercise and healthy lifestyles. That's why I've embraced the Safe Routes to School program so wholeheartedly since becoming the Secretary of Transportation. Simply, Safe Routes works to ensure that children have a safe way to walk or bike to school. And that dovetails perfectly with the First Lady's goals of increasing physical activity among kids and reversing childhood obesity..."---US Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood

National Walk & Bike to School Month

In October, INDOT and communities across the state celebrated Walk and Bike to School Month. Hoosier students walked and often biked to school to demonstrate the potential that these modes offer and to help change community culture and establish environments that are inviting for young and old to walk and bike. Walking and biking to school provide opportunities for needed physical activity, while helping improve air quality, reducing traffic congestion near schools and making neighborhoods look and feel more livable. 46 Indiana schools – from Alexandria to Zionsville -- registered to participate in Walk & Bike to School Month activities.

International Walk to School Day 2011 was held on October 5th. Was your school one of those that joined the celebration? INDOT is interested in hearing about your celebration and seeing pictures. What percentage of students walked or biked to your school? In 2010, 28 Indiana schools registered events on the Walk to School website. This year many schools registered events for the first time. To see a description of Indiana 2011 Walk to School events go to the national website and click on "Who is walking?"

INDOT, the Indiana State Department of Health and the Health by Design Coalition issued a joint letter encouraging schools to participate in the annual event.

Walk & Bike to School Activity Gears Up for Spring

Now that spring is here and the days are getting longer many of us are turning to the outdoors. 

The Indiana Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program and promotional events for walking and biking to school are also gearing up.  INDOT announced the 2012 Safe Routes application cycle will run from March 19th through May 29th.  To help schools and communities prepare better, more competitive SRTS applications the Indiana Safe Routes to School Partnership is holding an SRTS workshop on April 12th in Indianapolis.  The workshop will provide information and guidance and the agenda will include an overview of INDOT's application, review and award process; tips, guidance and lessons-learned from successful past applicants; and plenty of time for Q&A, discussion and networking.

The Indiana Safe Routes to School Partnership is a project of the Health by Design Coalition.  INDOT is a member of the Partnership along with the Marion County Health Department, the Indiana State Department of Health and representatives from several Indiana communities where biking and walking to school are becoming increasingly common.

The FREE workshop will be held at the American College of Sports Medicine (401 W. Michigan Street) from 9:00 until noon.  Registration is required to plan for set-up, materials and refreshments

From April 23rd until May 11th we are excited to announce Indiana's 2012 Walk and Bike to School Challenge, 15 Days of Fun on Your Feet!  (This inaugural event will include the first annual National Bike to School Day on May 9th…see the National Bike to School Day section below.)  The Challenge is a friendly statewide competition intended to encourage communities to promote walking and bicycling to school.  Prizes will be awarded!  Additional details and numerous resources are available on the Challenge website.  Mark your calendars and start planning now!

To add to the excitement, schools and school districts are reminded that late April and May are great times to conduct the student tally surveys that document how students are traveling to and from school.  These surveys are required for SRTS funding in Indiana.

Finally, the League of American Bicyclists reminds us that May is National Bike Month. Communities across Indiana are planning for events like Bike to Work Day and other events to spur more trips by bike. Visit the Leauge of American Bicyclists  website for more information on National Bike Month.

National Bike to School Day

The first National Bike to School Day will be held Wednesday May 9th.  The National Center for Safe Routes to School will be coordinating the inaugural bike-focused event that builds on the popularity and success of the International Walk to School celebrations held in October.  The National Center will be planning the event in partnership with the League of American Bicyclists, the organization that leads the celebration of National Bike Month each May.

The National Center will have a redesigned version of their website available in early April with more information about Bike to School Day and new event planning resources and tools, including a new GIS-powered walking and bicycling route mapping tool. According to the National Center, a “Win a Bike Rack” contest is being planned to help build excitement and encourage registration of both events and resources for the event.

More details are available at National Center for Safe Routes to School.

For suggestions on planning your bike to school day event, see the tip sheet.

SRTS Awards

During Indiana’s 2011 SRTS application cycle 46 applications were submitted seeking over $8.1 million. From this field 18 infrastructure and 13 non-infrastructure proposals totaling almost $5.1 million were selected for funding. Proposals exhibiting a comprehensive approach to walking and bicycling were viewed more favorably than construction projects alone and the strongest applications featured partnerships, local initiative and solid planning support.  The most frequently selected non-infrastructure activities were school travel plans and comprehensive safe routes plans, effective encouragement techniques, enforcement actions to enhance student safety, promotion of walking and bicycling to school, and pedestrian and bicycling education and skills training.

SRTS Links

Indiana

National


*Images provided by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) unless otherwise noted.

Contact Information

Michael O'Loughlin
Indiana Department of Transportation
100 N. Senate Ave. IGCN. 955
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-232-5653
moloughlin@indot.in.gov


 

Stay Connected

You are leaving the IN.gov website. By clicking OK, you will be taken to a website that is not affiliated with the State of Indiana and may have different privacy and security policies. The State of Indiana is not responsible for, and does not endorse, guarantee, or monitor content, availability, viewpoints, products, or services that are offered or expressed on this non IN.gov portal website.