Safe Routes to School 2024-25
Safe Teen Driver Essay Contest & Save a Life, Win a Macbook
Through contests like the Safe Teen Driver Essay Contest and the Save a Life, Win a MacBook Pedestrian Safety Art Contest, we are fostering student involvement while also helping to make our roads safer for everyone. These initiatives provide an excellent platform for students to use their creativity for a meaningful cause.
Safe Teen Driver Essay Contest
We would like to extend a huge thank you to Sam & Ash Injury Law and Findlay Volkswagen, Henderson, for their generous support of the Safe Teen Driver Essay Contest. Thanks to their contribution, one lucky student took home a BRAND NEW CAR !! Out of 100+ submissions, Andrea from West Career and Technical Academy was chosen as the winner! Her heartfelt essay focused on the importance of getting home safely to her family and cherishing the moments that matter most.
Save a Life, Win a MacBook Pedestrian Safety Art Contest
We are thrilled to announce the Save a Life, Win a MacBook contest, a fantastic way for students to use their artistic talents to raise awareness about pedestrian safety. In this exciting contest, we’ll select one outstanding student to receive an Apple MacBook, and their winning poster will be displayed on Regional Transportation Center bus shelters throughout our vibrant city! Additionally, another talented student will receive an Apple iPad, and their artwork will be showcased inside buses that travel across town.
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is committed to ensuring all students have access to safe, active transportation options. Whether you’re a young rider or a seasoned cyclist, practicing safe biking habits benefits everyone. By following these safety tips, checking your bike regularly, and wearing your helmet, you can help make the road safer for yourself and others.
At Safe Routes to School, we believe that safety is a shared responsibility. Together, students, parents, schools, and the community can make our roads safer for everyone. Stay engaged with our programs and promote safe and active transportation options for students of all ages.
Remember, safety starts with YOU! Let’s work together to make our biking community stronger, safer, and more fun!
Wearing a helmet while riding a bike, skateboard, or scooter is crucial for protecting against head injuries, which can be life-threatening or result in long-term consequences. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that helmets reduce the risk of head injury by up to 70% and the risk of brain injury by 60%. In fact, the CDC reports that nearly 1,000 children under 14 are treated in emergency rooms every day for injuries related to bicycles, scooters, and skateboards. With proper helmet use, these injuries can be greatly minimized, helping to prevent serious trauma and save lives. It's essential for both children and adults to wear helmets consistently, as they are one of the most effective measures in reducing the severity of accidents. The SRTS program has properly fitted students who roll to school with free helmets. To date, over 38 schools have invited us to their bike racks, servicing over 602 students!
We are excited to introduce the new Safety Bee, the official mascot of our Safe Routes to School program! The Safety Bee is buzzing around to promote safe, active transportation for students and is a friendly face at Family Engagement events, Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, and other safety-focused activities. With a mission to spread the word about "BEE-ing" safe, the Safety Bee encourages students to be mindful of road safety while also serving as a positive role model in the community. Always ready to lend a helping hand, the Safety Bee is here to inspire everyone to make safe choices on the roadways!
Reckless and distracted driving is the leading cause of teen fatalities on the road, but the good news is—it’s completely preventable. Safe Routes to School is working to change this by offering 50-minute safety presentation, Street Safe, to educate young drivers. These sessions emphasize road rules, as well as the importance of bike and pedestrian safety.
The program also includes the Impact Teen Drivers modules, which cover topics such as Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) and the critical question: What Do You Consider Lethal? These lessons help teens understand the risks of distracted and inexperienced driving, ultimately empowering them to make safer choices.
In addition, CCSD’s Zero Teen Fatalities program delivers in-person presentations to promote safe driving behaviors and street safe pedestrians. Officer Keith Habig leads these sessions, which have already reached thousands of CCSD high school district students.
Bike Rodeos & Bike to School Day!
Across the valley, schools are hosting Bike Rodeos, providing essential bike safety lessons and hands-on training for students. These events focus on practical skills such as how to maintain and ride a bike safely, preparing kids for a lifetime of healthy, active transportation.
Bike, Walk and Roll to School Day will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Families are encouraged to bike, walk or roll to school on this day. These events foster a sense of community and environmental responsibility while reminding students of the importance of biking and pedestrian safety.
Safe Routes to School is helping students gain independence and confidence with our Bike Repair Workshops. These workshops, hosted at schools across the valley, teach students how to perform basic bike repairs, such as fixing flat tires and tuning up their bikes. Not only does this help students save money on repairs, but it also empowers them to maintain their primary mode of transportation to school.
This year, Safe Routes to School hosted 10 Bike Repair Workshops, with more planned for middle and high school students. In addition to bike repairs, students learn road safety, bike maintenance, proper helmet fitting, and more. At the end of the workshop, participants receive a helmet and a bike lock to further ensure their safety.
Safe Routes to School believes in starting traffic safety education early. Our Rocket Rules – Sense of Safety and Beyond lessons are designed for students in K-2. In collaboration with the CCSD Police Department, these lessons introduce young children to pedestrian and bike safety, creating a foundation for safe behaviors as they grow older.
Did you know? It’s illegal to park within 20 feet of an intersection or crosswalk. Many drivers are unaware of this rule, and it can create dangerous situations for students. In collaboration with the CCSD Police Department K-9 Unit, SRTS works to improve school zone safety through educational campaigns and enforcement days. You may have seen our Positive Presence efforts at your school, where we help drivers understand the importance of following active school zone rules. School banners and educational outreach help remind drivers of essential laws like No U-turns and No Passing in school zones.
Honoring Ruby Bridges and Advancing Kindness
On November 2024, SRTS proudly supported communities celebrating Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. This nationwide event encourages students to walk, bike, and roll to school in honor of Ruby Bridges, a courageous young woman who integrated an all-white elementary school in New Orleans in 1960. Her legacy reminds us of the power of youth to create change.
Safe Routes to School and its partners, including AAA, awarded mini-grants to schools across the country, helping to bring Ruby’s message of courage, resilience, and unity to students.
Learn more about Ruby Bridges' incredible story and the Walk to School Day event at Ruby Bridges Walk to School.
We are excited to offer a presentation called Active and Healthy Families, designed to help families stay active and develop healthy eating habits. This informative session, presented by Safe Routes to School highlights the many benefits of activities such as walking, bicycling, and other physical exercises, along with the importance of good nutrition and a balanced diet. We encourage both parents and children to attend and learn how to make exercise and meal planning a fun and healthy part of family life.
