Case Study of Safe Routes to School Special Encouragement Events

摘要

This paper presents a case study evaluation of days designated for walking and bicycling as partof a Safe Routes to School program. The case study examines two elementary schools inMoscow, Idaho that annually participate in two designated days for walking and bicycling,“International Walk to School Day” in the fall and “Fill the Racks!” in the spring. Studentswalking or bicycling to school were counted before and after the events. For comparison, countswere also observed at a nearby school not involved with the Safe Routes to School program.Count data was collected for eight days. Furthermore, 45 students and 17 parents were surveyed.Five parents and four community leaders were interviewed. The count data showed a significantincrease in students using active travel modes on the day of the event and a few weeks later. Theinterviews and surveys showed, among other things, there is strong support for the special eventsand most parents felt the designated days increased their child’s motivation to walk to school.Many parents said the spring event prompted their child to return to walking to school after thecold winter months. Policy implications and other lessons learned are provided.