SRTS Topics

Transportation Programs

Ecology Action Safe Routes to School (SRTS)


Bike to School	Walk to School	Bike Smart!	Bike ‘n Hike	Boltage

Alternative Transportation Options
SRTS Links & Partners
Safety Tips
Biking and Walking Maps

An Unhealthy Trend

Just a generation ago, almost half of all children walked or bicycled to school, today, fewer than 15% do and less than half of students who live within a mile of school walk or bike even once a week. During this same time period, obesity rates have skyrocketed across the county. Here in Santa Cruz County we have some of the highest obesity rates in the state; in fact our obesity rates exceed national rates with roughly a third of our youngsters considered overweight or obese. Today's kids are less active, less independent, and less healthy.

An Active Solution

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is an international movement, sprung in Denmark and honed in Marin County, California, that is combating this trend. SRTS encourages children to safely walk and bicycle to school. The Santa Cruz County SRTS movement brings together schools, parents, non-profits, public works departments and public health officials to improve student health and safety through active transportation. In the process, programs are working to reduce traffic congestion, reduce greenhouse gases, and make streets safer making communities more livable for everyone.

Ecology Action SRTS Efforts

At Ecology Action, we host several innovative SRTS programs:
Bike to School, Walk to School, Bike Smart!, Bike ‘n Hike and Boltage.

Our SRTS work dates back over 10 years with the inception of the popular Bike to School Day activities. Ecology Action continues to work on expanding our SRTS work to assure healthy, carbon reducing, and money saving transportation for all our children.

Here are some great reasons to have your school participate in our fun and healthy programs:

Reduce Traffic at the School Site – 20-30% of morning traffic is generated by parents driving children to school.
Combat child obesity and improve learning– Walking or biking 1 mile can burn 40 calories. Studies also show that physically active students are better prepared for learning.
Save Money! – Commute Solutions.org calculates that you spend .86 for every mile you drive (includes fuel, maintenance and other costs associated with owning a car).
Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Transportation accounts for 47% of Santa Cruz County’s greenhouse gases according to the County Commission on the Environment. Every mile you drive releases about 1 pound of carbon dioxide into the air.

Check out our great programs and join the Safe Routes to School effort!

Program Contact

Jeanne LePage

Program Specialist, Transportation Group
Phone: 831-426-5925 x144
Fax: 831-423-3895
Email