Students in Michigan will benefit from seven new projects designed to make walking and biking to school safer and more accessible.
The Michigan Department of Transportation has awarded $282,000 in federal funding through the Safe Routes to School mini-grant program, according to a community announcement. The grants support non-infrastructure projects that encourage active transportation and improve safety for students traveling to and from school.
Programs aim to boost safety and physical activity
The grants will fund a variety of initiatives, including walking school bus programs, bike rodeos, safety education events and incentive campaigns. Eligible applicants, including K-12 schools, school districts, municipalities and affiliated nonprofit agencies, can receive up to $15,000 per school, with a maximum of $120,000 for eight or more schools.
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The seven recipients and their planned projects are:
Friends of the Grand Blanc Grid: Walk and bike to school days, active transportation school bus program and mileage club ($14,936).
Reeths-Puffer Schools: Walk and bike to school days, walking school bus program, mileage club and safety events ($44,690).
Eastside Colts Youth Athletic Organization: Walk and roll to school days, walking school bus program, remote drop-off, campus maps and safety education ($30,000).
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency: Walking club, safety events, parent meetings, incentive program and encouragement events ($30,000).
Marshall Public Schools: Walk and bike to school days, year-long safety curriculum and events ($104,975).
Pennfield Schools: Bike rodeos, year-long safety campaign, incentive campaign and corner captain program ($42,807).
Tahquamenon Area Schools: Bike library, safety workshops, events, mileage club and incentives ($14,968).
Why active transportation matters
The Safe Routes to School program is part of a larger effort to promote physical activity and reduce barriers to walking and biking, according to the announcement.
“In an era of increased screen time, it’s more important now than ever before to get outside and move. Movement has huge health impacts,” Simeon Frang, Reeths-Puffer Schools director of State, Federal and Innovative Programs, said in the announcement. “The Safe Routes mini-grants are a great support for our community and help us promote safe, healthy choices through bike rodeos and walking school bus events.”
Amy Ghannam, Michigan Fitness Foundation president and CEO, said that active commutes can benefit students beyond physical health.
“Being active on the school commute improves students’ cognitive, social and motor skill development,” Ghannam said in the announcement. “It also is also an effective strategy to help children build lifelong physical activity routines.”
Learn more about Safe Routes to School mini-grants
The Safe Routes to School mini-grant program is open to K-12 schools, districts, municipalities and affiliated nonprofits. Grants fund programming-only expenses and are intended to inspire a shift toward nonmotorized transportation cultures in schools and neighborhoods.
To learn more about the program, application process and deadlines, visit the Michigan SRTS mini-grant website at saferoutesmichigan.org/srts-mini-grant. For additional information, contact Erin Quinlan-Paskus, SRTS program coordinator at the Michigan Fitness Foundation, at 517-908-3840 or epaskus@michiganfitness.org.
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This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: $282K in Michigan grants supports safer school commutes
