Carpooling Without the Car: Walking School Bus and Bicycle Train Program

Transcription

1 Carpooling Without the Car: Walking School Bus and Bicycle Train Program Jason Jackman Safe Routes to School Regional Coordinator Center for Urban Transportation Research University of South Florida In the U.S., what percentage of students (K-8) walked and biked to school in 1969? 15% 25% 36% 48% 1

2 What percentage of students (K-8) currently walk and bike to school? Less than 13% 15-20% 20-25% 25-30% 1969 *U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (1972) 2

3 Agenda Program Mission Walking school bus/bicycle train Developing a walking school bus Promoting the program to families and schools Encouragement Sustaining WSB program Barriers and Obstacles Mission Identify transportation needs for families at participating Hillsborough County Schools. Encourage parents to bike and/or walk with their children to school. Educate students and parents on bicycle and pedestrian safety. Increase safety for walking and biking to school. Define barriers for walking and biking to school. 3

4 Walking School Bus Parent led walking group (student led walking group) Two parent leaders for every 6-8 children Carpooling without the car Walking School Bus Sulphur Springs Elementary School Title I School Parent University Partnership Mr. Luckie s Walking School Bus Improved Student Attendance 4

5 Walking School Bus City of Tampa Recreation Walking School Bus ½ mile walk 3 Park leaders for 50+ student walking group Bicycle Train Get to school quicker Quick trip for parents Travel a further distance Student bicycle groups It s Fun! 5

6 Encouraging parents and school administration Presence Persistence Partnership Walking School Bus Development School Social Workers Walk to School Days Principal Teachers Parents Community PTA Members Walking School Bus 6

7 Marketing the Program (National Logo) Marketing the Program 7

8 Social Media Facebook Twitter Website/Blog Proof is in the car line Health Safety Transportation 8

9 Community Meetings Lucy Barr from Florida Department of Health Communities Putting Prevention to Work explains to the Nine Eagles community about the importance of children walking to school. What percent of the pedestrian fatalities among the 14-and-younger age group occurred at nonintersection locations in 2009? 8% 24% 54% 74% *NHTSA

10 BICYCLE HELMET [ (3)(d,e)] According to Florida law, a bicycle rider or passenger under years of age must wear a bicycle helmet *FL [ (3)(d,e)] Child Pedestrian Safety Curriculum 244 pedestrian fatalities among children age 14 and younger in 2009 USDOT, NHTSA (2010) Presentation: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Lesson plans K-5 Middle school curriculum separate lesson plan 10

11 Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety for Parents Student Tally Forms Instructions for teachers Pre and post tally Results of Tallies Walk/Bike to School ~10%-15% 11

12 Nine Eagles Project SRTS FDOT Infrastructure funding Connecting neighborhood to elementary & middle schools WSB Program Making the Right Connections 12

13 Barriers Parent participation Public school bus cuts Infrastructure Crossing guards and crosswalks Major roadways around school Crime & Distance Weather is rarely an issue Partners & Volunteers School Social Workers PTA members PE Teachers USF Geography Students Safe Kids Tampa FL DOH (CPPW) Local Bicycle Shops USF Bicycle Club Local Law Enforcement City & County Recreation City & County Public Works Neighbors and Community Members Community Associations Local Rotary Clubs USF ITE Neighborhood Watch Programs WalkWise Tampa Bay 13

14 Current Program Walking School Buses/Bicycle Trains (17) Weekend Neighborhood Bicycle Rides Leadership Outreach School District Policies Transportation Sunshine State Standards Bike/Ped safety curricula in the classrooms Complete Streets Policy Neighborhood Schools Walking and Biking to School 14

15 Safe Routes to School Contact: Jason Jackman Center for Urban Transportation Research University of South Florida 15