History
A few decades ago, walking or bicycling to school was a natural part of childhood. Today, with parents citing safety as the biggest concern, fewer than 15 percent of schoolchildren (K-8) walk or bike to school regularly.
| Percentage of Schoolchildren (K-8) That Walk or Bike to School Regularly |
|---|
 |
The results?
- Poor air quality and traffic congestion
- Today’s kids are less active and less healthy
- Type II diabetes and childhood obesity both on the rise
To reverse these trends, in 2005 the U.S. Congress approved funding
for five years of state implementation of Safe Routes to School programs:
- To launch SRTS educational and promotional campaigns
- To construct bike lanes, sidewalks and crosswalks and more
- No state receives less than $1 million per year
