Safe Routes to School
Walk, Bike, Bus..... It's the Way to Go!
The Beaverton Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program is all about creating safe, convenient, and fun opportunities for youth to walk and roll (bike, scooter, skateboard and bus) to and from schools. This is important for the health and safety of our kids and to foster the creation of livable, vibrant communities. SRTS programs increase physical activity and improve unsafe walking and bicycling conditions on routes to and from school and throughout the community.
1/26/20
Two Ways to Get Recognized!
1. Did you know you can earn Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum status for your walk and roll efforts at school? Beaverton Safe Routes to School has developed a Recognition Program for schools so you can have an easy framework for your transportation efforts – and well-earned bragging rights.
For instance, Bronze level includes steps such as identifying a walk and bike coordinator at your school; holding at least one encouragement per year; and collecting information on how students traveled to school for one day. We can help you with each of these steps.
Platinum-level schools develop a Travel Action Plan; carry out a student-led event or activity; and add a SRTS coordinator/committee organizer to your parent/teacher organization.
2. Every month Beaverton SRTS awards a Walk & Roll Champion in our district community. This might be a whole school, a group or an individual that is making a big difference in their community by promoting and encouraging safe, active travel to and from school. We’d love to spotlight your efforts! Let us know what you are doing or nominate a Walk & Roll champion from your school.
1/17/20
THIS IS HOW WE WALK AND ROLL CONTEST!
Safe Routes to School invites all Beaverton Elementary School Classes, Kindergarten through 5th grade, to participate in our January Art Contest. Each elementary school teacher has been sent the instructions for students to create a Safe Routes to School piece of art depicting how they safely walk or roll to school, or in their neighborhood. There will be a winner chosen for each grade, K-5th across the district. Each winner will receive a prize bag with Blick art supplies, gift cards and items to help safely travel to school. A grand prize winner will also be chosen to have their art printed on all Beaverton School District's posters promoting the 2020 May Walk + Roll Challenge. All submissions are due by February 7th. Ask your teacher for more details.
1/12/2020
Winter Walk and Bike Preparation
With colder winter weather, children spend less time playing outside. A nice brisk walk or bike ride to school will help achieve their recommended 60 minutes of moderate exercise every day. With some simple preparation your children can still be active and stay safe and warm during winter.
Make sure your child has:
- A raincoat or poncho, as well as an umbrella on or with them.
- A plastic bag to store wet gear during the day.
- Gloves and waterproof shoes. They can also carry (or store at school) extra shoes and socks to change into.
- Reflective gear and/or bright colors and uses a light on their bicycle.
Find an under-cover area to park their bike if possible. If not, have them bring a plastic bag to cover the seat, or a small towel to dry it off. Safe Routes to School also has bike seat covers if any parent groups would like to provide some at the school for children riding bikes this winter. Only have children walk or bike in the rain if they're comfortable, as roads are slick and visibility may be reduced. Always remember to stop at the curb or edge of the street, look in all directions before crossing and keep looking for traffic until you have finished crossing.
1/5/2020
Welcome back to school! January is a perfect time to try walking or biking to school -- for your health, your community and the planet! 1 mile of walking each way to school equals 2/3 of the daily recommended 60 minutes of physical activity. Get your steps in while decreasing the traffic and air pollution around your school and neighborhood.
When you're out and about, keep your EYES and EARS OPEN, phones down and heads up. Know what’s going on around you. Have fun with your active commute!
Does your school have a walking or biking school bus? If so, join in the fun. If not, find your school's preferred walk/bike route on our interactive Safe Routes to School maps below.
Beaverton's Safe Routes to School Program is possible with support from Metro, Oregon Department of Transportation and City of Beaverton. Thank you!
