Safe Routes to School is about much more than simply
providing sidewalks. The factors which influence whether a
student walks or rides a bike to school are complex. The top
two barriers to walking and bicycling to school, as reported
by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, are long
distances (62%) and traffic danger (30%). Both of these factors
are directly related to where the school is located.
In recognition of the importance of school siting, Congress
directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop
voluntary School Siting Guidelines which encourage a holistic
approach to school siting issues, particularly as related
to children’s health. This workshop proposes to look at Safe
Routes to School, and to take a step back and look at the
school itself. As long as the predominant development
pattern for new schools continues to be mega-campuses on
greenfield sites miles from the populations they serve, Safe
Routes to School will continue to be elusive to much of Georgia’s student population.
This workshop was developed specifically for use in Georgia,
placing emphasis on the topics most critical for our state,
including Safe Routes to School. This workshop consists of
interactive exercises for workshop participants. Although
school siting issues are made by school boards or other local
educational agencies, local governments have a major role to
play. This workshop encourages participants to examine their
role in school siting issues and become engaged about the
importance of school siting in the community.

Instructors:

Denise Gabrowski AICP

(4 Ratings)