Safe Routes to School: Fall Semester Wrap-up

Safe Routes to School programming wrapped up the Fall semester last week at Johnson Elementary School! This semester, SRTS reached 2,000 students at 13 different schools in Fort Collins, and checked 1,282 bikes for any maintenance issues thanks to support from Recycled Cycles, Peloton, Trek, Brave New Wheel, VeloFix, Homeward Alliance Bike Repair Team, Joseph Moore, Stuart Culp, John Byers, and the UC Health bicycle emergency response team made up of Lizzie, Drew, Zach and Kip. 

 

After School Bike Club

Thanks to funding from the FoCo Fondo Fest, put on by Zack and Whitney Allison, and Jake Arnold, Safe Routes to School was able to resume Bike Club at Lincoln Middle School for the Fall semester. Over 15 students attended the Bike Club, who, over a four-week span, jelled into a well-lubed team of cyclists riding 15 miles on the last day! Students ranged from not knowing how to ride a bike on day one to very experienced riders. No matter their ability, students got to enjoy an after-school club that involved a healthy activity in a safe, welcoming space. We can’t wait for a Spring Club, and hopefully additional funding for more clubs in more schools.

 

Thanks to Rose Samaniego, SRTS Instructor and Master Naturalist, a walking club was started at Putnam Elementary. Students in this club learned about nutrition, hydration, proper foot wear and clothing. They were also taught ways to walk in any sort of weather and how to be a safe walker (how to cross a street and what to watch out for when walking). Club sessions start by walking around the school yard, and then venturing out for a mile. By the end of the sessions, students were walking 3 to 4 miles! We can’t wait to continue this program to help more students. 

 

We are excited to announce that we received a 20k grant from Union Pacific Foundation that will encourage safe behaviors and prevent accidents through education and awareness, particularly projects which focus on rail, driver, bike, and pedestrian safety through our SRTS program. This funding will allow for the possible expansion of SRTS programming to more high schools in Fort Collins and to schools outside the city limits. 

Watch for next semesters expanded schedule on school rotation, plus information on after-school clubs, bike field trips and more. Safe Routes to School programming depends on donations and volunteers in order to operate. Consider volunteering or donating today by contacting Dot at dotdickerson@msn.com.