Resources for Planning Safe Routes to School During COVID-19

August 20, 2020
SUBMITTED BY LISA PETERSON

August is Back to School Safety Month!

The return to school this fall in communities throughout California in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic will look very different, as districts resume instruction informed by state guidance. School learning may be entirely remote, in-person, or a hybrid of both. To help guide families, schools and communities in continuing their efforts to support safe walking, biking and rolling options to and from school, organizations like the Safe Routes Partnership and the National Center for Safe Routes to School have developed several key resources. In recognition of Back to School Safety this month, we invite you to explore them at the links below to inform your own efforts!

Crossing guard at intersection in Santa Barbara

Crossing guard at intersection in Santa Barbara, CA (Photo credit: Dan Burden/pedbikeimages.org)

Planning Considerations for Walking and Rolling to School in Fall 2020

This document from the National Center for Safe Routes to School and the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) describes the benefits of including walking and biking to school in fall school re-opening plans and addresses four main planning questions:

  1. How can we appeal to families to choose walking and biking when possible?
  2. How will we address physical distancing for walkers and bicyclists?
  3. Where and how can bicycles be parked?
  4. What else can help reduce the amount of private vehicle traffic arriving at school?

Learn more about this resource.


Back to School 2020: Recommendations for Safe Routes to School Programming

Using the Six E’s framework – Education, Engineering, Evaluation, Encouragement, Engagement, Equity – the Back to School 2020 Working Group has developed Back to School 2020: Recommendations for Safe Routes to School Programming, a comprehensive set of short-term, actionable recommendations for implementing Safe Routes to School programs this fall. This guide from the Safe Routes Partnership offers learning recommendations under each of the Six E's for remote learning, hybrid learning, and in-person learning. Learn more and download the full guide.

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