Benefits of a Safe Routes to School Program

Did you know that the City of Decatur has had a Safe Routes to School program since 2005? Initially the program was coordinated by volunteer parent committees at each school. However, beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, the Decatur Active Living Division took on the management and development of Decatur’s programs. Each month the parent “Champions” from each school meet with Decatur Active Living staff to share ideas, solve issues, and plan events and programs. We also work with staff from GA Safe Routes to School Resource Center and GA Commute Schools.

On International Walk and Roll to School Day in October 2019, 2556 children (or 64%) walked or biked to school! Our program keeps growing and includes all city of Decatur schools. Students at the high school work with GA Commute Schools to plan their own special walk to school and bike to school days, and even did a carpool day during the 2018-2019 school year.

Walking or biking to school has many benefits, as seen on the info-graphic below.

Safe Routes Survey – Deadline Extended To October 20

Decatur Active Living partners with the City Schools of Decatur to participate in the Safe Routes to School Program and is excited that so many of our children walk and/or roll to school.

Parent surveys enable us to make program improvements and address safety concerns around the schools. Results from this survey will be used in planning transportation improvements and alternatives. Some of the changes that have resulted from past surveys include crosswalks, additional crossing guards and new sidewalks.

Please complete one Safe Routes to School survey for each child in your family by October 20th. In addition, please mark the route your child will take to school on the map at the link provided in the survey. You can access the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BMMW6R9

Safe Routes to School programs promote safe walking and bicycling to school.  Here are several highlights from the SRTS program:

• The City’s crews checked sidewalk segments in front of all schools before the beginning of the 2017-18 school year and filed down places where separation could cause a trip hazard.
• The timing of a light at Wilton and Clairemont Avenue has been changed to provide for safer crossing at the crosswalk.
• The City has received a grant for a HAWK signal in front of Westchester School and it is planned to begin construction in late Spring of 2018.
• A HAWK signal and crosswalk is being installed on S. Candler Road.
• Over 58% of the students in the City Schools of Decatur participated in International Walk & Roll to School Day in October and in Georgia Walk & Roll day in March.
• The city has installed 36 crossing guards throughout the city to ensure the safety of our children.
• The Decatur SRTS program has been featured at the National Parks and Recreation Association Conference, the National Walk Summit, The Georgia Parks and Recreation Conference and the Georgia Bike Summit.

Please plan to participate in our Safe Routes to School program in the upcoming year.  If you have questions, please feel free to contact Cheryl.Burnette@decaturga.com.