Oswayo Valley Creating ‘Safe Routes To Schools’

Oswayo Valley School District’s grant of more than $460,000 to support walking and bicycling to school will not be affected by the federal government’s likely elimination of funding for its Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) program. Oswayo Valley’s allotment has already been secured and plans are moving forward to use the money to develop safe, handicapped-accessible, and well-lighted options for pedestrians and bicyclists.

SRTS was launched in response to a study showing that just 15 percent of students walk or ride bikes to school, compared to 50 percent in 1970. This has had an adverse effect on traffic congestion and air quality, as well as pedestrian and bicycle safety. In addition, children who lead sedentary lifestyles are at risk for a variety of health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Parents consistently cite traffic danger as a reason why their children do not bicycle or walk to school. Ironically, when they drive their children to school, they are exacerbating the traffic safety problem.