WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program, established nearly two decades ago, was created to make it safer and easier for students who walk or bike to school. In addition to providing safety education to children and caregivers, it also funds infrastructure improvements including sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes. All 50 states and Washington, D.C., have SRTS programs which serve millions of students across the nation.
U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Ed Markey (D-MA) introduced the Safe Routes Improvement Act to enhance program accessibility for communities in North Dakota and nationwide. Specifically, the bill requires state departments of transportation (DOT) to designate an SRTS program coordinator, which will serve as a point of contact for local governments, school districts, and others looking to navigate the SRTS Program and receive funds for projects in their communities.
This builds on Cramer’s bipartisan efforts to expand program eligibility from elementary and middle school students to also include high school students, a policy change he secured in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Under the BIL, a dozen projects across North Dakota received over $3 million in SRTS funding. Communities including Minot, Bismarck, Horace, Milnor, Linton, Carson, Fargo, Bowman, and Belfield have used these funds for various pedestrian improvements such as installing speed limit signs, constructing sidewalks and shared use paths, and building ADA-compliant ramps.
“As someone who walks to work every morning when I’m in Washington, I know how essential safe routes are for the kids who walk or bike to school," said Cramer. "Over the last 20 years, the Safe Routes to School program has been instrumental in helping support infrastructure improvements to keep our kids safe. This legislation is a smart solution to make it easier for school districts and rural communities to access Safe Routes funding.”
“Every child deserves a safe journey to and from school, whether they’re walking, biking, or riding the bus,” said Markey. “By ensuring every state has a Safe Routes to School coordinator, we’re helping communities design safer streets and healthier futures. I’m proud to partner with Senator Cramer to introduce this legislation and put children’s safety first.”
"Senator Cramer’s leadership on this legislation shows he’s really looking out for North Dakota—and for communities across the country. Requiring every state to have a Safe Routes to School Coordinator isn’t just helpful, it’s essential,” said Blue Weber, Community Outreach Liaison at Bolton & Menk, and former CEO of the Downtown Development Association in Grand Forks. “These coordinators are key to making sure the projects we work on actually reflect what communities need and have the support to move forward. At Bolton & Menk, we believe great design starts with listening and this bill will support community voices to be heard."
“Every child should be able to bike, walk, or roll to school safely,” said Bill Nesper, Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists. “We applaud this legislation from Senators Cramer and Markey which would direct state departments of transportation to designate a Safe Routes to School Coordinator. By helping school districts and local governments navigate the grants process, share best practices, and track successes, Safe Routes to School Coordinators are a crucial resource in our shared goal to improve traffic safety for kids.”
“As the national leader of the Safe Routes to School movement, Safe Routes Partnership applauds Senator Cramer for his continued leadership in strengthening a program that helps students get to and from school safely and reliably,” said Marisa Jones, Managing Director of the Safe Routes Partnership. “Safe Routes to School is an evidence-based, cost-effective, bipartisan initiative that supports rural, suburban, and urban communities in meeting the daily transportation needs of families. By ensuring every state has a dedicated Safe Routes to School coordinator, this legislation will expand the program’s reach and ensure more communities can benefit from safer, more connected school travel options.”
“Safe Kids Grand Forks has done a considerable amount of pedestrian and bike safety work with the Safe Routes to School Program,” said Carma Hanson, Coordinator of Safe Kids Grand Forks at Altru Health System. “We have done this in an effort to assure that all kids get to and from school safely. Our work in both North Dakota and Minnesota demonstrates the importance of partnerships that are led by a collaborative and engaging entity, assuring cost effective and credible programming and interventions. We are thrilled that Senator Cramer is helping lead the charge on the national level for this type of collaboration and partnership as we strive to assure students get to and from school safely.”
Click here for bill text.