HIKE AND BIKE SYSTEM MASTER PLAN
Recommended Practice “ Design and Safety of Pedestrian Facilities ”.
Federal and State- Safe Routes to School Policies The Safe Routes to School ( SRTS ) programs make walking and biking to school safer and more appealing to children , including those with disabilities . SRTS projects and activities reduce traffic , fuel consumption and air pollution near primary and middle schools ( grades K-8 ).
SRTS , contained in the 2005 federal transportation bill SAFETEA-LU , provides a healthy alternative to riding the bus or being driven to school . Each state receives funding based on its percentage of the national total of children in grades K-8 . Texas received $ 44,684,980 in SRTS funding between 2005 and 2009 . In addition to federal funds , state law dedicates revenue from the God Bless Texas and God Bless America specialty license plates to the Safe Routes to School Program .
Below are a few recent State of Texas policy and legislative changes that benefit the Safe Routes to School program and goals :
Matthew Brown Act The Texas Legislature passed the Matthew Brown Act in 2001 and laid the foundation for the state Safe Routes to School infrastructure program . Twenty-seven awards were given in a 2003 call for infrastructure projects . The lessons learned from that pilot program helped establish the current TxDOT Safe Routes to School program .
Wellness In 2003 and 2007 the Texas Legislature passed bills that require 30 minutes per day of physical activity for K-8 .
Curriculum In 1993 the Texas Legislature passed a bill requiring the Texas Department of Public Safety ( DPS ) to develop a bicycle safety curriculum . The SuperCyclist curriculum was developed in partnership with the Texas Bicycle Coalition Education Fund .
Below are some additional recommended State of Texas policy changes to aid the Safe Routes to School program and goals :
Complete Streets The planning , design , construction , and maintenance of all roadway and transit facilities , as well as developments and new schools , should consider and include the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians from the inception of the project .
School Bus Cuts School districts all across the country are struggling to
Appendix C : Hike & Bike Policies | C-19