This fact sheet provides talking points and information to help communities create Safe Routes to School programs and policies. English_Spanish

This resource guide is intended for education policymakers, administrators and personnel at the state, school district, and individual school levels. It provides a detailed examination of the most up-to-date and relevant research linking physical activity and academic achievement, as well as the current rates of activity among school-aged youth. Common challenges and obstacles faced by schools—such as transportation costs, safety and liability issues—are discussed, as well as ways Safe Routes to School programs can help to mitigate these issues.

This toolkit has been prepared to assist Arizona communities make changes what will result in the creation of a healthy physical environments for our residents. It provides a general overview of the process – explanation of the requirements and purpose for the plan, who to talk to in local government, how to get involved, a checklist for what policy topics should be addressed, and example policies that may be considered for incorporation into the plan.

This resource calls out specific approaches and tools that may be particularly helpful for rural schools, exploring elements of the Safe Routes to School District Policy Workbook. It walks through why safe routes matter, how to succeed with safe routes, and policies that support walking and biking to schools.

The Midcourse Report is intended to identify interventions that can help increase physical activity in youth across a variety of settings. It focuses on 5 settings which include: schools, preschool and childcare centers, community, family and home, and primary care. The report also discusses the importance of each setting and its relation to youth physical activity and important precedents for policy involvement.