SRTS-TN Has Facebook Page

Safe Routes to School in Tennessee has a new FACEBOOK page.  Visit it by clicking here.  You might want to LIKE THEM while there.

Not Asking for More Money

. . Bike/Ped advocates are not asking for more federal money for bike/ped projects.  They want to be sure money that is available is used for these applications.  Tennessee has a history of high rescission of Transportation Enhancement and Congestion Mitigation money.  Our Safe Routes to School grants are only obligated at 32%.  MAP-21 increases the risk of loosing available funding.
. . The League of American Bicyclists found "In states with active bike advocacy groups, very little money was sent back." (HINT! on how to protect YOUR interests)
. . Our department of transportation will set the ground rules and choose the projects that are going to be funded.  Advocates must become part of the process and help communities build an inventory of good ready-to-go bike projects.

. . The federal granting process is complicated, messy, and difficult to navigate. America Bikes is developing the tools and resources for advocates so they can speaks loudly and intelligently. 
. . Nearly 400 people participated in "The ABCs of MAP-21" webinar on 8/13/12. Download the recording and slides here. 

Economic Benefits of SRTS

On July 26, 2012, the Safe Routes to School National Partnership is hosting a free webinar at 1PM CDT on How Safe Routes to School and Active Transportation Can Improve the Economies of Local Communities. Expert speakers discuss specific research on how bicycling and walking can boost local economies and save communities money.

Highlights include:
•  Economic benefits of increasing physical activity and improving walkability and the built environment
•  How bicycling and walking has saved money in selected communities
•  How much money is actually spent on bicycling and walking in comparison to other transportation modes
•  A Q&A session via a chat function with webinar attendees.
 
Register here: https://saferoutespartnership.ilinc.com/register/thtkvfr

SRTS Annual Report

National Partnership's 2011 Annual Report is Now Available

We are pleased to share the Safe Routes to School National Partnership’s 2011 Annual Report, showing how the National Partnership is creating safer streets and routes, improving communities and promoting physical activity for children and their families all across America. The Annual Report shows our work focused on four main strategies – federal advocacy, state and regional policy change, local technical assistance, and engaging families and sharing best practices – and how we are continuing to catalyze and lead the Safe Routes to School movement nationwide. + READ MORE

IDEAS FOR FUTURE FUNDING SOUGHT

The Safe Routes to School Partnership has a two-year contract with the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation (RWJ). It ends on December 14^th, 2011 and as far as we know is not being renewed. It is by no means a reflection on the momentum that the network has been able to accomplish. We are simply at the end of the contract period. RWJ is reorganizing and re-prioritizing what it is funding.  I would like to request ideas and suggestions for future funding sources through grants, partnerships with other organizations or even funding through businesses, hospital corporation, insurance agencies etc.

Millie Halvorson

Tennessee Safe Routes to School Network Organizer

Tennessee@saferoutespartnership.org

www.saferoutespartership.org

615-305-3132

Elizabethton

. . Y'all have done a great job at getting national attention for Ms Tryon, but it is important this incident become a positive for everyone and we don't overdue our concern and turn it into a negative.
. . This matter now has the attention of Andy Clark at the League of American Bicyclists who has assigned several people to work with the police chief and the National Safe Routes to School Partnership.
. . Jeff Miller at the Alliance for Biking and Walking has been following closely. And, the National Director for Safe Routes to School is researching further action.  It is an important issue to all and I am sure Ms Tryon will get good support from these people.
. . Plus the Directors of Bike Walk Tennessee are helping.
. . I believe everything will work out fine as long as we remember our primary interest is the well being of the 5'th grade girl who wants to ride her bike to school.  Both the mother and the policeman acted with sincere concern for the girl.  We don't want to push people into hard positions that make them forget the best interests of the young girl are everyone's priority.